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

2 answers to “Should I still have swelling one...”

A: Swelling after tummy tuck

Michael Diaz, MD

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... more

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

Steven Wallach, MD

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.

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