Tummy Tuck: Q&A

Ask a Question

What Could Be Causing my Upper Abdomen to Swell After Tummy Tuck?

I am 9 weeks post tummy tuck, my upper abdomen (between my belly button and under my breast) seems more swollen at times, usually in the afternoon. I am still wearing my garment during the day, my surgeon said to wear it until week 12. Please advise?

I saw my surgeon, he thought could be fluid but he checked and there was none. The only other answer he gave is that my muscles are weak. He said he tightened them and it is impossible for the stiches to come off so that is not what is causing the upper bulge. Just looking for other advice, Thanks.

Tags:

side effects

Comment on this

5 Doctor Answers | Asked by amalex in CA

Doctor Answers (5)
Community Comments (0)

Many answers for upper abdomen swelling

1. Swelling from liposuction 2. Swelling from muscle tightening. In the upper half of the abdomen, especially after a high tension abdomenoplasty, there can be excess swelling in the upper abdomen. 3. Fluid. Although your doctor has ruled this out. 4. Widening of the muscle after repair. That seems like an unfortunate event; you should have heard a pop or felt some activity that caused the muscles to release. 5. Relaxation of the muscles as a result of no exercise or activity. My advice is... more

Anatomy of bulges

The upper abdominal subcutaneous tissues are often thicker than in the lower abdomen especially, after a Tummy Tuck. This can be due to intrinsic presence of subcutaneous fat, or because the lower abdominal soft tissue layer is pulled tighter, thus producing a thinning effect. There can also be a side-to-side gathering of the upper abdominal fat layer and skin if the upper abdominal muscles are pulled together significantly without redistribution of the overlying soft tissues. This bunching... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Swelling of upper abdomen following tummy tuck: beware the garment

On rare occasions, I have seen the compression garments "gather" around your midsection causing a tourniquet like effect with swelling above this area similar to the swelling seen above a tight leg stocking. see video

You might also like...

Real Stories

Might Be Getting TT Much Sooner Than I Thought! - California, CA

I am 5'3, a mother of 4 kids 7, 5, 3.5, and almost 2, and my body has been thrashed by...

Before + After Photos

View 4292 Tummy Tuck photos

Swelling in the upper abdomen after a tummy tuck

Tummy tucks are very popular and effective technique to contour the abdomen and tightened the patient's waist. During the surgery, your surgeon will perform several suture techniques to tighten the muscle layer you a smaller waist. It is possible that the bulge in your upper abdomen may be a slight loosening of the sutures. However the best way to determine the cause is to return to your plastic surgeon for an examination. They will be able to determine if this bulge is from the... more

Periumbilical swelling

Periumbilical swelling after a tummy tuck is not unusual. Since the surgeon did not feel it was fluid, it could be swelling or residual fatty tissue under the skin.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (0)

Ask a Question

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.