Tummy Tuck: Q&A

Ask a Question

How Can I Tell If I Have Weight Gain or If It's Just Swelling After Tummy Tuck?

I had a full tummy tuck,lipo of flanks,thighs on1/20/11. I had low swelling but from 3 to 6 months I was swelling face, hands, legs tummy. went down for a short time.I had a revision not able to exercise for 1 week. swell was almost gone.I started exercising again and swelled allover again, I am up 15 or so lbs from surgery weight, but eating better, 2 hours exercise daily. My PS says I am not swelling, I need to lose 15 to get him to do my revision. what could be going on, what can I do to lose the weight? Is it fat or swell?

Tags:

swelling weight gain

Comment on this

8 Doctor Answers | Asked by Oceanside1370 in Oceanside

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (0)

Swelling Versus Weight Gain

This far out from surgery a 15 pound increase in weight is weight gain, not swelling. Most patients find that they have lost weight by 3-4 months; certainly by 6 months. There is something else going on that is not a result of your surgery. You may want to see a nutritionist if you are exercising 2 hours a day and still not losing weight.

Swelling after tummy tuck

Swelling should be resolved by nine months after abdominoplasty. Look for other causes of fullness if it persists.

Concerned about 15 pound weight gain 8 months after tummy tuck and liposuction

Swelling from your procedures can take up to a year to maximally resolve. You are 8 months postoperatively from the primary procedures so at this point in time, there should be a negligible amount of weight associated with the swelling. If everything were constant, you should at worst weight your preoperative weight minus the weight of the tissue removed. Therefore, you have put on additional weight of in excess of 15 pounds since then which you will have to lose. In order to address... more

You might also like...

Real Stories

Tummy Tuck No Liposuction / Hoping for the Best! - Doylestown, PA

In March 2013 I started having pain in my left ovary. After much confusion and a no...

Before + After Photos

View 4315 Tummy Tuck photos

Swelling or weight gain after tummy tuck

At 6 months or more postop, there still may be slight swelling but not 15#. You might consider asking your surgeon to show you your preop photos and postops, if you had any taken, and compare the pictures to current ones. Sometimes that helps show if you have any changes elsewhere on your body from weight gain, since we all tend to forget how we looked months ago.

Weight gain probably due to lack of exercise

To experience such weight gain this many months after your tummy tuck and liposuction, I would think that it is due to lack of proper dieting and exercise. You should not have 15 pounds weight gain from post op swelling at this point. I recommend controlling your diet and getting plenty of exercise at this point.

Weight gain vs swelling after tummy tuck

Swelling can last up to six months after a tummy tuck but most of it is usually subsided by three to four months. It is not likely that more than six months later that swelling will account for more than five pounds. A fiftteen pound excess is likely due to weight gain. Body contouring surgery including tummy tucks and liposuction are not alternatives to a healthy lifestyle. I often recommend consulting a nutritionist and trainer after surgery in order to... more

Swelling versus weight gain

Hello, It is difficult to know without examination or photos. Certainly could be a little of both. If you weigh the same or more now than you did before surgery than there is a weight gain component to the issue. Your weight 6 months after surgery should be less than your weight before your surgery by the amount of fat removed by liposuction and through removal of tissue during the tummy tuck. All the best, Dr Repta

Swelling?

It's normal for swelling to last six months, a year, or even more in some cases. Weight changes can cause some of what you're describing as well. It's hard to advise you without an exam and, if you're concerned, then there's nothing wrong sith getting someone else's opinion. Good Luck! Scott Newman, MD FACS

Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (0)

Ask a Question

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.