I'm Nine Days out from Tummy Tuck with Breast Aug and Lift. But my Abdomen Looks Larger Than Before?

I look so much larger that I can't believe the swelling will account for all of the size increase. What are the odds that moving the muscles to a new location will wind up making me look bigger in the end? There are no seromas or hematoma, muscle repair is intact. A day after surgery my legs were swollen, along with my hands. But those have resolved to normal. I don't seem to look like any of the side views I've seen. My flanks also look bigger. It's not weight gain either, I'm sure of it.

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by Busy45Mom

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Swelling after tummy tuck

Hello BusyMom, thanks for the question! A tummy tuck is a pretty big operation and can result in a lot of swelling. Did you have liposuction with your procedure? I do liposuction of the waist with my tummy tucks, and that makes you even more swollen. That can account for the swelling in your flanks. It's very important to continue to wear your compression garment for at least 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, I have my patients wear a "second stage" garment if they no longer want to wear the... more

Tummy tuck and Breast Augmentation and lift and early results

At just nine days following a tummy tuck and breast augmentation and breast lift (mommy makeover), you will still be significantly swollen. Even if there is no visible hematoma or seroma, at this point you may feel and look bigger than you did before the surgery. It will take at least six to twelve weeks for the post operative swelling to subside. Wearing a compression garment and watching your salt and fluid intake can help speed this process. Check with your surgeon to... more

Swelling after Tummy Tuck

At 9 days post tummy tuck, it is very common to still have significant swelling. The abdomen often takes significantly longer than the hands and legs due to the length of the incision. I would continue to wear your binder/garment snug and followup closely with your plastic surgeon to ensure you do not have a fluid collection or infection. After 4-6 weeks, you should see significant resolution of your swelling. I wish you a safe and healthy... more

Tummy tucks and swelling.

A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a very large procedure which results in considerable swelling which can take 3 months or more to resolve. Many patients feel discouraged early on because they feel that they look heavier than before surgery. Although there are common reasons for an increase in abdominal projection besides flap swelling (constipation, seroma), the usual culprit is retained fluid in the actual abdominal skin and fat. Proper use of garments, activity restrictions, and adhering... more

David Bogue, MD

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Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Swelling after TT

BusyMom: Try not to be alarmed. It is hard to imagine, in answer to part o f your question, that "moving the muscles" could make you look bigger. They are not actually moved, but just sutured closer to the midline. It is not surprising that the swelling in your legs and hands resolved first--they were not directly traumatized by the surgery. Just because that swelling is resolved by no means indicates that the abdominal swelling is resolved. Also common is increased... more

Mommy Makeover - Swelling

There are a few key questions you or your surgeon have to answer: how many days are you after surgery? Did your surgeon use drains? Was liposuction also performed? Was a tumescent technique used for any part of the surgery? In general, your body does take on some fluid after any longer surgery. The anesthesiologist is keeping you hydrated with your IV while you are sleeping and that you saw in your hands and feet. That fluid you will usually... more

Swelling after Mommy Makeover?

Thank you for the question. As always, it is best to be seen in person ( by your plastic surgeon) for precise diagnosis and treatment. Abdominal wall "swelling" after tummy tuck may be related to: 1. Swelling in the soft tissues. This may take several months to resolve and may worsen with increased activity or at the end of the day. Patience is required to allow for resolution of the swelling. The swelling occurs because of the interruption of venous and... more