Tummy Tuck - Swelling After 4 Weeks

At 4 weeks, you are very early in the recovery period.  The swelling typically is peaking at 6 weeks, and continue to be moderately pronounced until 2 months.  Some degree of swelling after tummy tuck can last up to a year. Of course you will be more swollen for the first several months. In fact, it is very important that you refrain from any vigorous physical activity for the first 2 months after tummy tuck. At that point you can start exercising, but if anything you do results in swelling, you should wait on that activity. As long as you stay behind this swelling curve, the surgery will continue to heal over the next 6 months. People who try to push through the swelling almost always end up with prolonged healing and can compromise their outcome. It is totally normal to be "larger" after tummy tuck for some time, and patients report they cannot fit into their old clothes. Then, as the swelling goes down, there are remarkable transformations. Just be patient, the swelling will resolve.

I generally advise that half the swelling from a tummy tuck takes one month to resolve. The other half takes a whole year. You must also continue to work on getting to your ideal body weight.  This makes the aesthetic results better. Rarely, a seroma or fluid collection can make you swell. See your doctor to exclude this possibility. 

It is perfectly normal to have continued swelling four weeks after your tummy tuck.  It takes at least four months for all of your swelling to resolve.  Also remember, the swelling is in all of the layers of your abdominal wall, not just the skin.  I would not worry at this stage as your swelling will continue to resolve.

Dear Anissa,

Thank you for reaching out regarding your concerns about swelling following your tummy tuck surgery. It's entirely normal to experience swelling in the weeks following the procedure, and four weeks post-op is still relatively early in the recovery process.

Swelling is a natural response to surgery as the body works to heal and repair tissues. While some patients may see a significant reduction in swelling by four weeks, others may still experience noticeable swelling at this point. Factors such as individual healing patterns, the extent of the surgery, and your body's unique response to trauma can influence the duration and severity of swelling.

It's essential to remain patient and allow your body ample time to heal. In many cases, swelling gradually subsides over the course of several weeks to months, revealing more refined and flattering contours.

Regarding your concerns about achieving a flat stomach, it's essential to manage your expectations realistically. While tummy tuck surgery can produce dramatic improvements in abdominal contouring, it's important to understand that complete flattening may not always be attainable, especially if there were significant pre-existing laxity or other anatomical considerations.

I recommend maintaining open communication with your plastic surgeon and following their post-operative care instructions diligently. They can provide personalized guidance and reassurance based on their assessment of your progress and their experience with similar cases.

If you have specific concerns about your recovery or the final outcome of your surgery, I encourage you to address them directly with your plastic surgeon. They are best equipped to evaluate your progress and offer tailored advice to ensure the best possible results.

Sincerely,

Dr. Katzen
Plastic Surgeon

Depending on the extent of the procedure, swelling can last up to 6-12 months. However most of the swelling generally subsides by 2-3 months. I have found a snug (not tight) abdominal binder and in some cases lymphatic massage can help speed up the swelling recovery process as well. You would have to discuss with your surgeon how much of the fullness is swelling vs residual tissue, and the final extent may not be known until the swelling subsides. Please discuss with your surgeon, this meant to be general advice.

After a full tummy tuck, it is normal to expect swelling in the area. the swelling takes time to settle down. Regular use of compression garment helps with swelling. in some cases when swelling is taking longer to settle down, few sessions of lymphatic massage might be of help. Please discuss this with your surgeon.

Like any surgery site you will develop swelling after a tummy tuck. Now remember that the area of surgery for a tummy tuck is extensive…..from the surgical scar all the way up the rib cage internally. So you have to expect an extensive area and degree of swelling involving the entire abdominal wall…including the pubic region and down into the groin.
This swelling is often quite dramatic between the scar line and belly button. Also, the pubic area can initially be very swollen, especially if liposuction was also performed here.
One of the reasons you are recommended to wear a pressure garment for the first 6 weeks is to control the swelling. This swelling gradually subsides but typically takes several months to fully settle.
Also, it can fluctuate with some days where you can look quite bloated whilst other days you’re looking trim.
Many people continue to wear the garment beyond 6 weeks as it tends to provide some control of this swelling. We also recommend you perform gentle daily massage to these areas starting a few weeks after surgery to help control the swelling and facilitate the settling process.

Thanks for your question. Healing after a tummy tuck is usually retty straight forward.  There is a process of swelling and bruising that peaks at 3 days after surgery and then undergoes the first stage of major resolution in the first 2 weeks after surgery.  The lateer phase of healing takes place over the 2-3 months after surgery where everything really settles and softens.  It is after this time that we are getting close to the final result, though this varies patient to patient. 

Every patient is different, and it is important to keep in mind that  #tummytuck #swelling can last anywhere from 4-6 weeks. Swelling will most certainly increase and/or linger longer depending on how quickly you resume your normal level of activity, and especially if you are pushing yourself. Adhering to your surgeon's post-care instructions will be critical to expediting your downtime.  Having said that, it's best you communicate your concerns directly to your plastic surgeon so that he/she may follow up with you to rule out any potential complications. 

It is appropriate to still have swelling one month after a tummy tuck. Over time the swelling will gradually continue to subside. Everyone is different so it is impossible to be specific and tell you exactly when your swelling will cease, but having swelling one month post-op is not abnormal. Make sure you are wearing your compression garment as your surgeon has suggested. Give yourself time to heal, don't get discouraged,  and follow up with your surgeon as he or she has recommended. Good luck!

Swelling is perfectly normal throughout the healing process, and it will likely need to continue for another couple of months. However, when it is greater than the size of the abdomen before your surgery there may be internal difficulties that have arisen to add excessive swelling and only your surgeon will be able to provide the resolution to that issue. If something did in fact go wring with your initial procedure there will be the ability for your surgeon to complete a revision in order to meet the goal results the two of you initially planned, and hopefully you will be happy and comfortable very soon.