It will be a year on September 5, 08 sinc my tummy tuck, lipsuction and body lift and thigh lift. My stomach is still swollen and it can swell within 3 cm in one day and till have pain on it and pain in my belly button. I lost over 134 through it counting what I lost with exercise and on Weight watchers. It concerns me now, after all these months I begin to get bigger at night and during the day very uncomfortable to the point some days have to wear my gown because I cannot fit in my new size 8 jeans. What going on my doctor just seems to pass it off and says it nothing to do with the surgery, what gives something going on. It very depressing!! Please someone let me know if this is normal. It was so great waking up after having to the surgery to find all of that excess skin was gone and now it just really hurts.
I am still faithfully following my program on weight watchers and exercising it does seem to matter what I do I still keep swelling. Please I would love to hear from some one that know if this is normal or not. How long does it take to get over the swelling after a tummy tuck?? Thanks, lifetimer
Answer: Tummy tuck Swelling?
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 lymphatic channels that occurs during the tummy tuck operation.
2. Fluid accumulation in the space between the skin and the abdominal wall muscle. this may consist of blood ( hematoma) or serum (seroma). This fluid accumulation can generally be diagnosed by physical examination ( occasionally ultrasound may be helpful). Treatment consists of aspiration; several episodes of aspiration may be necessary.
3. Separation of the abdominal wall muscle repair may lead to a swelling/bulge appearance. This may be diagnosed on physical examination with your surgeon examining you in different bodily positions. One of the steps of a tummy tuck procedure involves reapproximation (plication) of the rectus muscles. These muscles have spread apart during pregnancy and/or weight gain. Bringing them together again in the midline helps to “tighten” the abdominal wall as well as to narrow the waistline.
4. Residual adipose tissue may be confused for swelling. Again this is most easily diagnosed by physical examination. Additional liposuction surgery maybe necessary to improve the results of surgery.
Generally, it takes many months for swelling to resolve after tummy tuck surgery and it may take up to one year (or greater) a complete skin redraping to occur.
I hope this helps.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Tummy tuck Swelling?
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 lymphatic channels that occurs during the tummy tuck operation.
2. Fluid accumulation in the space between the skin and the abdominal wall muscle. this may consist of blood ( hematoma) or serum (seroma). This fluid accumulation can generally be diagnosed by physical examination ( occasionally ultrasound may be helpful). Treatment consists of aspiration; several episodes of aspiration may be necessary.
3. Separation of the abdominal wall muscle repair may lead to a swelling/bulge appearance. This may be diagnosed on physical examination with your surgeon examining you in different bodily positions. One of the steps of a tummy tuck procedure involves reapproximation (plication) of the rectus muscles. These muscles have spread apart during pregnancy and/or weight gain. Bringing them together again in the midline helps to “tighten” the abdominal wall as well as to narrow the waistline.
4. Residual adipose tissue may be confused for swelling. Again this is most easily diagnosed by physical examination. Additional liposuction surgery maybe necessary to improve the results of surgery.
Generally, it takes many months for swelling to resolve after tummy tuck surgery and it may take up to one year (or greater) a complete skin redraping to occur.
I hope this helps.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: 12 Months Post-Op... Not Common It’s unusual for pain and swelling to persist for more than twelve months following abdominoplasty surgery. When this situation arises, patients should be evaluated to rule out other conditions such as chronic seromas and abdominal wall hernias.Unfortunately, it’s virtually impossible to make a specific recommendation without pre-and post –operative pictures and a physical examination. Under these circumstances, it might be reasonable to obtain a second opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon.This surgeon should be able to evaluate your situation and formulate an appropriate treatment plan.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: 12 Months Post-Op... Not Common It’s unusual for pain and swelling to persist for more than twelve months following abdominoplasty surgery. When this situation arises, patients should be evaluated to rule out other conditions such as chronic seromas and abdominal wall hernias.Unfortunately, it’s virtually impossible to make a specific recommendation without pre-and post –operative pictures and a physical examination. Under these circumstances, it might be reasonable to obtain a second opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon.This surgeon should be able to evaluate your situation and formulate an appropriate treatment plan.
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January 3, 2019
Answer: Tummy Tuck Healing Hi Lifetimer,In my practice, most patients will be placed in an abdominal binder, which they will wear the first week. There is usually a fair amount of swelling and the binder should be opened several times a day so that there are no pressure points. After the first 7 to 10 days the patient is placed in an elastic garment for compression over the next six weeks. Swelling can persist for several months and will gradually improve and will look better at three months, six months, and even one year. Frequently the pubic area and the scrotal and penis area for men can become very swollen and discolored during the first two weeks due to gravity as this is the lowest area for swelling to accumulate. In my experience most clients can return to full activity without restrictions at 6 weeks, although every individual heals differently. In my opinion, your swelling should be evaluated by a physician. I suggest an ultrasound, MRI and/or CT to determine the cause of your swelling. You need to contact your physician for further evaluation.#swelling #recovery #sideeffct
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CONTACT NOW January 3, 2019
Answer: Tummy Tuck Healing Hi Lifetimer,In my practice, most patients will be placed in an abdominal binder, which they will wear the first week. There is usually a fair amount of swelling and the binder should be opened several times a day so that there are no pressure points. After the first 7 to 10 days the patient is placed in an elastic garment for compression over the next six weeks. Swelling can persist for several months and will gradually improve and will look better at three months, six months, and even one year. Frequently the pubic area and the scrotal and penis area for men can become very swollen and discolored during the first two weeks due to gravity as this is the lowest area for swelling to accumulate. In my experience most clients can return to full activity without restrictions at 6 weeks, although every individual heals differently. In my opinion, your swelling should be evaluated by a physician. I suggest an ultrasound, MRI and/or CT to determine the cause of your swelling. You need to contact your physician for further evaluation.#swelling #recovery #sideeffct
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January 3, 2019
Answer: Prolonged swelling after body lift
This is a very extensive surgical procedure and it does require a prolonged recovery but I am not certain as to why you would be experiencing these type of symptoms one year later. They do not appear to necessarily be associated with the surgery but you may want to consider an evaluation by a gastroenterologist as well.
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Answer: Prolonged swelling after body lift
This is a very extensive surgical procedure and it does require a prolonged recovery but I am not certain as to why you would be experiencing these type of symptoms one year later. They do not appear to necessarily be associated with the surgery but you may want to consider an evaluation by a gastroenterologist as well.
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January 3, 2019
Answer: Swelling after a tummy tuck
Significant swelling one year after a tummy tuck and liposuction is not normal. Swelling (edema) can last up to 6-12 months after surgery especially if liposuction is also performed. However, most noticeable swelling has resolved after 1-2 months and continues to improve from that point. The "swelling" you are describing may actually be another condition. It may be a weakening of your abdominal wall leading to a bulge or even hernia. Also, it may be a organized fluid collection called a seroma. This fluid collection is different from swelling in that it is fluid located in a defined space versus generalized fluid spread throughout your tissue. Either of these conditions may be revealed through imaging studies such as an ultrasound or CT scan.
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Answer: Swelling after a tummy tuck
Significant swelling one year after a tummy tuck and liposuction is not normal. Swelling (edema) can last up to 6-12 months after surgery especially if liposuction is also performed. However, most noticeable swelling has resolved after 1-2 months and continues to improve from that point. The "swelling" you are describing may actually be another condition. It may be a weakening of your abdominal wall leading to a bulge or even hernia. Also, it may be a organized fluid collection called a seroma. This fluid collection is different from swelling in that it is fluid located in a defined space versus generalized fluid spread throughout your tissue. Either of these conditions may be revealed through imaging studies such as an ultrasound or CT scan.
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