Tummy Tuck Q&A
94%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
2,301 Reviews
Tummy Tuckbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,925

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,736 people and 863 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

Waist Measures Larger 1 Week Post Op- Normal?

asked 7 months ago by bb288 in IL
Latest answer by Donald Nunn, MD, DDS
Question viewed 180 times
Tags: 1 week post-op, bigger, normal, swelling

I had a full tummy tuck one week ago. My waist was very small and my best asset. I had no fat to lipo so the only thing that was done was to pull the skin to rid some stretch marks and get rid of some bad sewing jobs from appendectomy, a laproscopic hysterectomy and a tubal. I weighed 114 the day of surgery and my waist was 26". Today I weigh 119 and my waist is 29".... is this normal? I read somewhere that the waist widens with the tummy tuck. Will this go away to my pre-surgery tiny waist

7 answers to Waist Measures Larger 1 Week Post Op- Normal?

+1

Waist and weight changes after tummy tuck

This is not unusual after body contouring surgery due to fluid retention and surgical swelling. Give it time and you will see improvement. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.
Donald Nunn, MD, DDS

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and liposuction--reduction in size of waistline

Thanks for your question. You are only one week after surgery. Typically, there is a some swelling after tummy tuck and liposuction. You will most likely notice a great deal of change and reduction in the size of your waistline. Please be patient and your skin will shrink and re drape. Best Wishes. Dr. Sajjadian
Ali Sajjadian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.DrSajjadian.com

+1

Swelling is normal in the early process of healing after a tummy tuck

Hello, A tummy tuck should not widen your waist even if liposuction or muscle tightening was not done. It sounds like much of what you ar experiencing is the result of swelling after your tummy tuck. This is normal in the early part of the healing process. Make sure you wear your abdominal binder consistently and properly and it should all be fine. All the best, Dr Repta
Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Concerned about waist measurements 1 week post tummy tuck

You are still extremely early in your healing process so measurements like you are concerned about are unimportant at this point in time. Gaining weight after surgery is very common and most often is related to fluid infusion from surgery and fluid retention. These will resolve fairly quickly. You may have increased swelling from inflammation over the next several weeks which will also affect your measurements. Be patient. Full maturation can take up to a year. Usually by 4 - 6 months... more
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

+1

A larger waist after tummy tuck

For a typical tummy tuck the waist will not widen as the skin is drawn to the center of the abdomen and tailored. You may just be too early in your healing and things will settle down. It is correct that with extended tummy tuck, often after weight loss the tension to the side can pull down and widen the waist somewhat. At 119 pounds this will not be you. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Larger Waist line After Tummy Tuck Surgery

Thank you for your question. You are only 1 week post op surgery and so you will have swelling and fluid retention at this time. Give yourself time to heal and you will most likely see an improvement. Your waisteline should improve if muscle plication was performed. Swelling can take months to subside and it may take up to one year for the skin to redrape. Be patient.. Best Wishes.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Post-op Tummy Tuck...

You are definitely still swollen one week after a tummy tuck. You are still holding onto fluid as evidenced by the weight gain. The swelling starts to diminish about 2 weeks postop and is not complete for several months. Don't worry - it will get better. Good Luck!
Brian Klink, MD

Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

www.solanoplasticsurgery.com

Ask a question