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

Swelling over my Tummy Tuck Incision - Is This Normal?

asked 1 year ago by england4642 in england
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 2,737 times
Tags: incision, normal, swelling

My tummy tuck was 24 days ago, and i am worried that the ridge of swelling over my incision will not go down. It still looks like i have some overhang there. Apart from this, my results are still very good, and i am pleased.

22 answers to Swelling over my Tummy Tuck Incision - Is This Normal?

+2

Postop tummy tuck swelling above incision

Your results appear quite normal for the time after surgery. Often the area above the incision swells temporarily due to decreased drainage (while the incision heals). You might want to talk to your surgeon about postoperative compression, the appropriate activity level, and creams and laser therapies you can use to maximize your healing after this type of surgery.
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

+2

Tummy Tuck swelling at 3 weeks - very normal

Edema actually takes months to resolve after an abdominoplasty, so yes, at 3 weeks it is very normal to have noticeable swelling.  An additional component that is visible at that time is the effects of the multiple layers of sutures used for closure.  Within the first 2 weeks of surgery, you might have noticed that the incision looked higher than the skin around it, or that there were visible "dents" near the incision at somewhat regular intervals.  These are... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+2

Swelling at 3 weeks

Be sure to take it easy as you are still only 3 weeks out from your tummy tuck. It often will take a few months to return to normal fluid control in that area.  
Ricardo A. Meade, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

www.DoctorMeade.com

+2

Swelling Takes Time to Go Away!

Swelling (and numbness) of the lower abdomen, especially just above the incision line takes many months to improve. You will see it change and continue to soften for a year to a year-and-a-half!
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Swelling after a tummy tuck

Yes it is quite normal to have swelling of the skin above the incision for quite some time after a tummy tuck.  Normally the excess fluid in the skin is channeled away via small vessels called lymphatics. These are cut and the flow of this fluid is altered after a tummy tuck.  It does usually get better with time.
Delio Ortegon, MD

San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

www.sacs-sa.com

+2

Early tummy tuck result

Your result looks fine for 3 weeks out.  The swelling is called a "healing ridge" under the scar and it is normal and will soften up in 4 months.  The swelling above the scar is just edema in the tissue, also will go away nicely.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

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
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Post op tummy tuck swelling

Based on the photograph, you have a lot of residual swelling. You need to give it some time to go down. As for the scarring, you will be entering the inflammatory phase of scar healing soon and can expect the scar to become a bit more obvious until it settles down. Just be patient and reassess the results in a few months.
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling after tummy tuck.

Swelling can last up to a year after surgery.  Be patient and take it easy until then.  24 days seems like a ling time post op but it really isn't even a month! see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling 3 weeks after tummy tuck is entirely normal

It is expected and normal to have swelling following a tummy tuck, and that can make the area above your incision look puffy. The swelling in your photo looks entirely within the normal range of postoperative swelling. This should improve with time. If it does not, or if there seem to be focal areas of swelling, it is possible you have a fluid collection called a seroma. Your surgeon will be able to determine if this is the case when he or she examines you. 
Anita Patel, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Look good for 3 weeks

Your result for 3 weeks is good.  It is very normal to have some swelling above the incision.  Many times scar massage will help with this.  Also there is the possibility of seroma or fluid accumulation in the space beneath the skin and this would need to be aspirated.  Just check in with your surgeon and they will let you know what to do. Good luck with your new body, Dr T
Scott Tucker, MD

Winston Salem Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling After Tummy Tuck Surgery Takes Months To Completely Resolve

The most persistent area of swelling after a tummy tuck is just above the incision. The effects of gravity and temporary lymphatic obstruction take this area the longest to settle. It is also possible that you may have a fluid buildup (seroma) which feels more like a waterbed than just firm swelling. I would check with your plastic surgeon at your next follow-up visit. The final result from tummy tuck surgery takes longer than 3 weeks to see as it is an evolving process. Until you get... more
Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

+1

Swelling over tummy tuck incision

This is normal and expected. Give it  a few months to improve. Your surgeon most likely made sure it is not a fluid collection (serum)
Karol A. Gutowski, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling of tummy tuck

If you are only 3 weeks post tummy tuck, you are more than likely still swollen .This may take several months to improve.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling after a tummy tuck

The short answer is: Fluid under the skin-fat flap is a seroma.  Fluid in the tissue layers leaves a ridge.  Please contact youe surgeon.  The distinction is easily made by an experienced doctor.  
H. Michael Roark, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fluid and swelling after a tummy tuck

It is very normal to have prolonged swelling (meaning weeks to months) after a tummy tuck. There are two types of fluid collections we see.  I like to think of them as fluid in a sponge (your body is the sponge) vs fluid in a water balloon (hopefully your body is not the water balloon - we call this a seroma.) If you have regular old sponge-like swelling your body will absorb it.  If you have a water balloon we need to pop it (stick in  a needle to drain out the... more
Byron D. Poindexter, MD

Reston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling above the tummy tuck incision

Swelling and stiffness, and a numb feeling just above the tummy tuck incision line is the norm. It is not unusual to perceive a small bulge at the present. Most often the area will soften and flatten in, and the process may take several months. There is a natural mismatch between the skin in the abdomen and the pubic skin for some and we tend to reduce the under-surface of the tummy tuck flap to smooth the transition. If the bulge does persist touch-up liposuction can straighten things out... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling at Tummy Tuck Scar

Your photos look reasonable 3 weeks after tummy tuck surgery.  The scar may be firm, raised with surrounding swelling.  If you do notice a fluid wave when tapping your tummy, however, this may be consistent with a fluid collection or seroma.  Followup with your plastic surgeon for further evaluation.
Stephen Delia, M.D.

Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling about Tummy Tuck incision

Your photos look quite reasonable for this time after a tummy tuck. Often there is a benign ridge of swelling either due to edema, that will gradually improve over the coming weeks, or a mismatch between the thinning tissues above the pubis and the thicker tissue from the abdomen. If there is a persistent ridge 3-6 months out, a conservative liposuction to thin out the thicker tissues and blend it into the thinner tissues may be helpful.
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

May be normal, maybe not

Although most wounds get hard after surgery, peaking at 4-6 weeks after operation, a skilled examination by your doctor will differentiate this from something more serious, like a collection of fluid. Stop by and ask him/her.
Leland Deane, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck

Swelling in the first month after surgery can be normal or can be the sign of a seroma.  Also if liposuction was part of the procedure that swelling could also be normal. Have you surgeon check for a seroma and if  there is not one i likely will resolve.
David L. Abramson, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling over my Tummy Tuck Incision - Is This Normal?

Thanks for the frontal photo. The reasons are: Seroma/Hematoma, Thickened scar tissue, poor operative technique. Seek a second opinion in person to determine to hard to determine from a photo. Best of luck from MIAMI DR. Darryl j. Blinski
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question