Question
Tummy Tuck - Swelling after 4 weeks
I had a tummy tuck 4 weeks ago and I am still swolen, but I am beginning to be concerned that my stomach will not look much less than it does with the swelling. My doctor told me he would not be able to make me super flat, but he would take as much as he could.
In your experience, do you think swelling is still at the extreme after 4 weeks?
Answers (2)
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1
9 months ago
It takes some time....
4 weeks is still early after a tummy tuck and swelling will not fully resolve until several months (not weeks) after your surgery. You stated that your surgeon said he could not make you super flat which is somewhat odd. An abdominoplasty is a strong procedure and most people really do end up super flat. Good candidates for any procedure such as this are not obese so if you were truly still overweight before the procedure you may not be getting the result you had hoped for. This is something to discuss with your doctor (and should have been discussed preop so that you would have appropriate expectations!) You should have been shown pictures of people similar to you before and after surgery not only ideal candidates. Good luck!
2
9 months ago
Swelling after a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
After any surgical procedure, the peak of swelling is around the second or third day. Most people don't notice it, as they have other things to be concerned about. Now that you are a month out from surgery, you are feeling better, doing more activities, and are really starting to look at the result. The amount of swelling that is still around depends on how the surgery was performed (how extensive), and also yourself as an individual. I generally have my patients wear compression garments up to the fourth week after a tummy tuck, both to provide support and help "squeeze out" some of the swelling. A good way to prove to yourself that there is residual swelling is to look at your trunk a few minutes after taking off some clothing that has an elastic waist band. If you see more of an impression on the front side of your body (where the tummy tuck surgery was) than on your back, you can be certain that there is still "left over" swelling. This is a normal process, as the lymphatic system that drains fluid takes quite a long time (months) to fully heal and re-orient channels after such a major procedure.
I hope this helps!
Comment on this
2 posts
1 Feb 2009
Tummy tuck done 1/20/09 - little blackness running about 3" across incision site. When I asked Dr. - was told don't worry not normal - but it does happen and we can take care of it in the office. Does anyone know why this happened? I'm clean and keep the site clean?
unregistered guest
9 Mar 2009
i have alot of swelling in the fold that was cut ,, how long does this take to go back to normal, also my belly button area is still real numb how long will it take to go back to natual feeling?
47 posts
7 Apr 2009
im 4 weeks into my tummy tuck my waist looks big and belly is swollen still
unregistered guest
25 Apr 2009
I am 73 and had my abdominoplasty 6 months ago and still swollen above the scar line for about 8". The surgeon said that in his 25 yrs. experience of doing this procedure it can take 12-18 months to go. So I'm being patient.
2 posts
6 May 2009
Im 2 weeks post opt and my right side of my belly is very swollen. I starting to see some visible stretch marks which pisses me off cause I didnt want any. I was told to put a creame on to prevent any further stretch marks. So put creme on the swollen areas to prevent nasty strecth marks