Is Tummy Tuck Swelling Long-term or Permanent?

Any incision in the body disrupts normal anatomy. The healing process will ultimately produce reconnections of small arteries and veins, lymph channels, and some minor nerves. Immediately after a tummy tuck, the incision acts as a wall or barrier to drainage and most patients will notice fullness above the scar especially at the end of the day after they have been up and around. Over the first 2 to 6 months, the body will continue to "remodel" the area and produce... more

The lymph channels will increase in size and allow more drainage so that the abdomen swelling really starts to come down after about 3 months, and continues for a year or more.

Hi! With a well done tummy tuck, the deep lymphatic vessels are preserved, and lymphatic obstruction does not lead to long swelling.  All the swelling should be gone one month after the surgery.

You will definitely have swelling after a tummy tuck that may last for months after surgery. It will go away through time as your body creates new channels in which to drain off any extra fluid. With time and patience, a tummy tuck is a procedure with an extremely high patient satisfaction.  

It is true that lymphatics have to be re routed after tummy tuck surgery. However the body does have the ability to develope and regrow new lymph channels after surgery and some lymph flow is re-routed through channels that are present in the upper tummy tuck flap. The swelling after tummy tuck surgery is temporary maximum 3-4 months, but most swelling gone in first 4-6 weeks.