Tummy Tuck Q&A

94%

WORTH IT RATING

2,301 Reviews

Ask a Question

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

Swelling Has Increased After Stopping Compression and Resuming Exercise. What to Do?

asked 1 year ago by Gracey in USA
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 5,462 times
Tags: 1 month post-op, compression garment, exercise, swelling

6 weeks PO from Full Tummy Tuck with waist lipo. Was advised to stop wearing compression at 6 wks PO and allowed to start running for exercise. Within 24 hours I was very swollen with tight skin. I put my compression garment back on and have not run since. Swelling has not completely subsided 3 days later. Any ideas what is happening?

22 answers to Swelling Has Increased After Stopping Compression and Resuming Exercise. What to Do?

How long should the patient where a compression garment after a tummy tuck

Patients who received an abdominoplasty should expect a recovery process that may last anywhere from 2 to 8 months. Factors that may affect how quickly you heal include whether or not liposuction was performed at the same time as your tummy Tuck, the technique that was used for your surgery, and how quickly your body will recover and reestablish arterial, venous, and lymphatic drainage. In our practice, we always provide the patient with two garments after their surgery. The first... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Tummy Tuck and Compression Garment or Binder

Wearing a compression garment or abdominal binder will help in the early healing after a tummy tuck. It helps compress the tummy and reduces the initial swelling. It also helps the swelling go down over time. In my practice I like to have my patients wear their garment for 2-3 weeks after surgery. Once the last drain is out I recommend that they use the garment for another day or two. Many patients like the feeling and support of wearing the garment and choose to wear it longer. As long... more

Adam Rubinstein, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Tight swelling six weeks after tummy tuck

Swelling usually is resolved by six weeks after tummy tuck though the abdomen may be numb for several months after. Swelling of the skin right after exercise six weeks after should respond to a night of rest and light compression such as with a spanx to support the area. As the swelling has persisted I suspect you may have developed a fluid collection called a seroma and it is a good idea to keep in the compression garment, rest , and check in with your plastic surgeon for help. Best... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Temporary Lymphedema From Exercise Is Common After Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

You are experiencing postoperative lymphedema of the abdomen and waistline, a very common development after a tummy tuck and liposuction. This is a temporary phenomenon that is caused by impeded lymphatic outflow from the operative sites caused by the lower abdominal incision and the trauma of the liposuction. It was not apparent until you started exercising which pumps extra lymphatic fluid into the area which now has some trouble getting out. It can be alarming to most patients as it... more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Swelling After Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Swelling is normal after liposuction and/or abdominoplasty. Nevertheless, you should be in close communication with your surgeon throughout your recovery. Often, a physical examination is necessary to determine that everything is alright after a tummy tuck.

Frank Agullo, MD
El Paso Plastic Surgeon

www.elpasoplasticsurgery.com

Swelling after tummy tuck

It is normal for the abdominal tissues to swelling variably after surgery especially after being up a long time or after exercise. The tissues are still reactive and inflamed and will tend toward edema since the lymphatic and blood flow is still not normal. Assuming you don't have a seroma or hematoma, I would advise wearing a light compression garment while you run or certainly right after you exercise to counteract the reactive edema.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Swelling increased after my tummy tuck?

This is actually very common and should resolve on its own. Swelling actually takes several months to resolve and so you are really very early along the healing period and probably doing fine. One suggestion would be to increase your protien intake since they tends to have somewhat of a diuretic effect and can also potentially help speed up your healing. If you are still experiencing swelling that does not go away in the next few weeks, see your plastic surgeon as there... more

Gregory A. Buford, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Swelling after Tummy Tuck and Exercise?

Thank you for the question. It would be best for you to be evaluated by your plastic surgeon to rule out the presence of a fluid accumulation (seroma). Generally speaking, tummy tuck surgery involves the interruption of arterial inflow as well as venous/lymphatic outflow. As patients' activity level increases the abdominal wall flap may have a hard time eliminating fluids from the area. It may take several months to a year for the situation to improve... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Tummy tuck

If the swelling as started several weeks after surgery this could be related to a seroma. If the swelling goes down with compression then it will likely resolve over time if you wear the compression for a longer period.

David L. Abramson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

6 weeks after a tummy tuck

6 weeks is our magic number for healing, it just sounds like you need more time. Keep the garment on, switch over to something more comfortable that still applies pressure but you can wear clothing comfortably over it such as spanks or spandex. Limit your fluid and salt intake, that can contribute to edema. Normally you'd be over this by now, but your body is requesting a little bit more time. Progressively get back to things and you'll train it to... more

Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

www.DoctorMeade.com

Abdominal swelling after tummy tuck 6 weeks ago; no compression and restarting exercise.

This may be only swelling within the tissues (lymphedema) like a saturated sponge, but you should have your surgeon check to see if you have a seroma, which is a collection of fluid in a cavity beneath your skin that did not "stick down" and heal completely, or sheared with your increase in activity and reopened a pseudobursa that has collected blood or lymphatic (serous) fluid. If the latter is the case, your surgeon may want to aspirate the fluid with a syringe and needle... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

6 weeks after tummy tuck and still swollen

Most patients will have swelling just above the tummy tuck incision, and this may take many months to resolve. This will eventually clear no matter what you do. Wear a compression garment or spandex-type undergarment if it feels good to do so. If not then enjoy the freedom of wearing your usual clothing. I would, however, check in with your plastic surgeon to make sure you have not developed a fluid collection (or seroma) which can require drainage.

Eric Pugash, MD
Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

www.vancouvercosmeticsurgery.ca

Tummy tuck

Swelling above the scar from an abdominoplasty at this time is very common, especially following a long day's work, or exercising. Continue compression garments until the swelling gradually resolves.

Shahin Javaheri, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Abdominal Swelling due to Increased Activity

Hi there- Most likely, your increased activity has caused swelling due to the still limited drainage in the tissues of the areas operated on. This should completely resolve with time, but I would recommend you do wear your compression garment. I would also recommend you see your surgeon to be sure that there is not also another problem that might need to be dealt with.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Postop healing continues for up to a year after tummy tuck

Increased swelling after exercise is not at all uncommon 6 weeks after tummy tuck and liposuction. That having been said, see your surgeon to make sure there is no fluid collection or infection causing this increased swelling. Once that has been ruled out it is probable that you overdid it. As a rule of thumb I have patients return to exercise very carefully. I usually instruct them to try 10 minutes of physical activity and then to take an inventory. Any increase in discomfort that does... more

Elizabeth Lee, MD
Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

artfulsurgery.com

Skin swelling 6 weeks after Liposuction and Tummy Tuck

Both Liposuction and Tummy Tuck interfere with the blood and lymphatic flow through the skin. increasing blood flow through the skin would result in swelling much like highway rush hour slow down are seen when a lot of cars are using the same - now limited roads. With time, as lymphatic channels become re-established, such swelling would become less common and disappear. You DO need to see your surgeon to make sure you did not develop a fluid collection - seroma. Dr. Peter Aldea more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Swelling Has Increased After Stopping Compression and Resuming Exercise. What to Do?

As Dr Placik stated CALL your PS to determine if something is really wrong, like seroma formation. Best to follow only the operative surgeon's advise. You started to much to soon! From MIAMI DR. Darryl j. Blinski

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Swelling six weeks after tummy tuck

Most patients have similar experience. I always prepare patients that once they start resuming their exercise regimens, they will notice an increase in swelling. This is very common. Don't worry, this edema will settle down. Continue your compressive garments. Having said that, if your swelling is not getting better within a few days, please see your plastic surgeon as this could be a possible fluid collection (seroma).

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

Tummy tuck swelling

That is exactly what happens after you give up the garment and go back to regular activities. It will take months for the body to adjust to the changes.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Swelling after tummy tuck

Call your plastic surgeon. Could be swelling, could be seroma, or less likely hematoma. Needs to be evaluated in person.

Steve Laverson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

feelbeautiful.com

Contact your PS with any concerns while healing.

The best thing is to communicate this with your PS. Every situation is different. You should call the office and ask them if this is normal in your situation. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

SWELLING 6 WEEKS POST-ABDOMINOPLASTY

The type of swelling you describe can be quite normal. I would recommend a visit with your plastic surgeon just to make sure you do not have any fluid build-up or what we refer to as a seroma.