Why Am I Rounder at 9 Weeks Post Op Than I Was at 6 Weeks Post Op?

asked 5 months ago by ginababy
Latest answer by David Bogue, MD
Question viewed 330 times
Tags: muscle repair, 2 months post-op, normal, protruding, swelling

I had a full tummy tuck and muscle repair 9 wks ago. I weighed 135 going in and I now weigh 120. I would wake up flatter in the mornings & swell towards the end of the day now my tummy seems to be protruding all the time. The protruding is not above the incision its on top and right above my bb. My doctor checked my muscle repair and she said it was healing fine. I look like I'm pregnant! Why am I protruding at 9 weeks!! It's not going down. I have been watching my diet and included exercise.

6 answers to Why Am I Rounder at 9 Weeks Post Op Than I Was at 6 Weeks Post Op?

Swelling after a tummy tuck

What you are experiencing above the belly button at 9 weeks after surgery especially with 15 pounds of weight loss is not normal. Your doctor knows best what your anatomy and tissues are like so stick close to them for follow up. It is possibly edema in the tissues but its specific location and not being generalized makes this less likely. Most likely it is a fluid collection (seroma) that can be treated by aspiration. An ultrasound can confirm its presence if this is... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

More swelling two months after surgery

Thanks for your question. The causes for swelling immediately after swelling are numerous, but nine weeks ago the list gets smaller. Some of my colleagues have listed some of these concerns including seroma or issues with the muscle repair. It seems as though you are having good follow-up with your plastic surgeon and this should continue. You should ask your surgeon about compression garments if they may help. I hope this improves for you. more

Vishnu Rumalla, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Not a good sign at nine weeks

At nine weeks you should be very happy. The issue that may be an issue is the muscle repair, seroma or a fluid pocket , prolonged swelling (less likely). You need to continue to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.

Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

Protruding abdomen after tummy tuck

Hello, There are a few possible causes of a fuller or more protruding abdomen after a tummy tuck at 9 weeks: 1) weight gain 2) abdominal wall repair disruption (muscle repair has let go) 3) seroma/pseudobursa 4) swelling It sounds like #1 is not the case since you weigh less now then before. The fluctuation of protrusion early on may indicate either #3 or #4. Swelling is most common near the incision. Therefore I am inclined to think that it may be a... more

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Results Concerned?

Congratulations on having undergone the tummy tuck procedure. I am glad to hear that you are following up closely with your plastic surgeon who is in the best position to advise you. Occasionally, I have seen significant swelling of the subcutaneous tissue layer after tummy tuck surgery ( that can cause significant concern for patient and surgeon). Once disruption of the abdominal wall muscle repair as well as the presence of a seroma has been ruled out then you can have some... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Swelling 2 months after tummy tuck.

Swelling in the abdominoplasty skin flap is common, but this decreases over time. At 9 weeks, you still have a ways to go before this is gone. If you haven't been in a compression garment, this process can take much longer. A focal area (usually near the incision line) of swelling can be a fluid collection. Close follow up with your surgeon is imperative. Sometimes, the muscle repair fails and fullness can be seen as a bulge in the upper abdomen. This can be more apparent if the repair... more

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question

Get Free Email Updates