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Should I Still Have Swelling One Year After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

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

Asked 42 months ago by lifetimer in Alabama

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Significant Swelling a Year AFTER a Tummy Tuck is NOT Normal and Needs to be Studied

You should have been completely healed by 6 months after a Tummy Tuck. It is definitely NOT normal to have the swelling and symptoms you discuss this far out and I am not sure why a fellow Plastic surgeon would minimize it. In the LEAST, you should have either a CT or MRI scan to rule out the possibility of a chronic fluid collection (seroma) , an intra-abdominal process NOT related to the tummy tuck (?Ovarian mass) or even a hernia. Obviously, SOMETHING is going on. I would... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Swelling one year out after surgery is unusual. I would...

Swelling one year out after surgery is unusual. I would be most concerned about a seroma or hernia. A CT scan or MRI may help resolve this issue.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Swelling and Pain at 1 Year is Not Typical

It sounds like you had a fairly big procedure, but I can understand your concerns at 1 year after surgery. Body Lift and massive weight loss are significantly traumatic. It can take a long time. Sometimes there can be some scarring that can produce pain or discomfort. Techniques that can help: massage, ultrasound, stretching exercises. If you are not getting the support you need, consider a second opinion.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Swelling after abdominoplasty can last many months, but the trend should be favourable.

Swelling can last a long time after a tummy tuck. You can use your scar as a barometer. If it is still red and elevated, the healing process is still active and swelling is present wherever the operation took the surgeon. If you are not getting better from month to month, you may want to get another opinion.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Swelling after tummy tuck

It is unusal to have swelling this afr out. There might be a fluid collection "seroma". A cheap non-invasive way to find out would be with an ultrasound. You may also have residual stretched skin, which can happen after a tummy tuck is performed in a patient who has lost over 100 pounds. Are there still stretch marks on the upper abodomen? Talk to your surgeon about the possiblity of residual loosening and seroma.

Michael Diaz, MD

Melbourne Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

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... more

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Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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... more

Naveen Setty, MD

Plano Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Recurrent swelling long-after a tummy tuck

The "swelling" you are describing is probably not related to your tummy tuck. Changes in the abdominal size throughout the day are normal. This is due to many factors but mostly related to digestion and food intake. The intra-abdominal fat content is also highly metabolic. This means that fat deposition and removal from the omentum and peri-intestinal areas changes with a much greater frequency than the subcutaneous fat just under the skin. There are certain medical conditions... more

David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Swelling after tummy tuck should resolve within months

Swelling after a tummy tuck should be completely resolved within several months after the procedure. Sometimes cyclic swelling like you are describing can continue maybe for as long as 4-6 months but eventually resolves as well. A few things to consider: 1) you say you have lost 134 lbs, but has your weight been increasing over time -- that can contribute to a "swelling" feeling 2) you may need to see your primary care doctor to make sure that you don't... more

Richard H. Fryer, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Swelling After Tummy Tuck

Most patients only experience swelling for a few months after surgery. In some instances patients can see mild swelling up to 6 month - 1 year after surgery, but this is typically very minor. The condition described sounds to be either a seroma (a collection of fluid underneath the skin) or a hernia. You will need to see your doctor for a more complete analysis. You can determine if you have a seroma by ultrasound. Once determined you can visit your board certified plastic surgeon to... more

Tarick K. Smaili, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Swelling after a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)

By one year most of the swelling should have resolved. Occasionally someone will have some mild swelling. If you have significant swelling in the abdominal area, doctors should evaluate for some other issues such as fluid accumulation under the tissue. Generally for about 6 months to a year the swelling will resolve.

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Usha Rajagopal, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS

Swelling after a tummy tuck

After a tummy tuck procedure, patients should anticipate a recovery process. This usually consists of swelling and minimal bruising that he last from one to two months. However, in our practice we always perform liposuction with every tummy tuck. For this reason, patients can expect swelling to persist for up to 6 to 8 months after the surgery. If you continue to have swelling a year after surgery, make sure that you're working with a board-certified plastic surgeon as they will want... more

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B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Focal swelling after a tummy tuck

You describe a focal region of swelling and pain one year after a TT, and this varies with time of day, body position etc. This sounds like a seroma, which is a fluid collection between the abdominal soft tissues and the muscles of the abdominal wall. A abdominal ultrasound is a good place to start when trying to diagnose seromas. On the other hand, I have seen body lift patients that have persistant edema of the abdominal flap and mons region many months post-op. This regional... more

Scott Sattler, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tummy Tuck swelling

It is very unusual to have the swelling and the pain after one year from your Tummy Tuck. There is something else. It could be: 1 Seroma, can be diagnosed with sonogram 2: Loss of integrity of the abdominal wall, as in Hernia. Need an MRI odf the abdominal wall. See a Board Certified PS who is willing to work this with you and treat.