Tummy Tuck: Q&A
Ask a QuestionWhy Do I Weigh 8 Pounds Heavier One Week Post Op?
One week ago I had a full abdominalplasty, muscle repair, and lipo on the upper and lower abdomen and flanks. I feel fine and can walk up right with little pain. But the swelling! I drink water constantly but I'm still 8 pounds heavier than I was when he did the surgery! When am I going to be able to fit into my clothes again? The swelling is especially bad in the upper abdomen.
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9 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
KylieB
+3
Postop weight gain
Water retention after general anesthesia is very common. Also, some of that retention is mobilized by the body as swelling in the abdomen. You should begin to eliminate the fluid within the next few weeks. However, if the swelling is excessive, painful, or accompanied by any fever or localized problems, then you need to follow up with your plastic surgeon to rule out hematoma or seroma formation.
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Why do I weigh more after lipo/ tummy tuck/surgery?
My girlfriend's advice after any big surgery like this is DO NOT WEIGH yourself after surgery for awhile.
why?
You will weigh more. There are multiple reasons for this: fluid shifts from surgery, tumnescent (the stuff we inject before we do liposuction which is in your tissues), swelling, bruise, etc. You start to mobilize what we call "third spaced fluids" on post operative day 3-4, but it isn't magically gone at a week.
When will you see what...
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Increased weight in post operative period
It is very normal to be up several pounds after having surgery. The body's response to trauma is to hold onto water. This should continue to go down as you move around more, (a few weeks). Everyone is different, and will heal at different rates. Good to stay in touch with your plastic surgeon, as sometimes patients will have a focal collection of fluid, (seroma), that might need to be addressed.
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Weight gain due to fluid retention after a tummy tuck
Immediately after a tummy tuck your body weight may be higher due to the IV fluids you received during the surgery as well as the infiltrate that was administered during the liposuction. Your body will eliminate the majority of this fluid (and weight) as time goes on. Don't be too concerned with your weight as much as your contour; your weight will come down eventually.
Best wishes,
Dr.Bruno
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Weight in the imediate postoperative period
It is not unreasonable to assume that your present weight most probably does not accurately reflect neither the weight of the tissue that was removed during your surgeries (skin and fat removed during your abdominoplasty and additional fat removed during your liposuction) nor the eventual reduction in weight that you most probably will ultimately see within the next few weeks.
Any increase in body weight that you find one week after surgery is most likely due to...
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Fluid Retention After A Tummy Tuck And Liposuction
What you are experiencing in terms of weight gain is absolutely normal. Every body contouring patient, particularly procedures that incorporate liposuction, is going to weightmore the first week after surgery than they did before. Often even the same clothes around the waistline will feel tighter as well...and maybe even unable to button or snap them together. This is due to swelling and fluid retention. Over the next few weeks the body will get rid of this excess fluid and you will be...
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Swelling one week post tummy tuck
One week post tummy tuck and liposuction surgery, it is normal for you to have significant swelling. It is important that you follow your surgeon’s post-op care instructions to ensure the best results possible. I provide my patients with an abdominal binder to wear for 4 weeks to help minimize swelling and aid in the healing process. It could take up to 4-6 months for the swelling to subside depending on your activity level. Follow-up with your plastic surgeon to rule out a seroma...
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Temporary weight gain after cosmetic surgery
It is very common to gain some weight after plastic surgery, particularly liposuction. This is temporary and should all go away once the swelling is gone. Remember that water weighs more than skin and fat. You will retain extra fluid in your tissues for several weeks which will cause your weight to be higher that what you were before surgery. You are doing the right thing by drinking a lot of water; don't stop. I suggest that you stay off of the scales for a few weeks.
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I weigh more after a tummy tuck!
It is normal, water retention and other factors play a part in weight gain after any surgery. Wait and see it come off. Hydrate, use a laxative, and begin tread mill walking...once your plastic surgeon clears you. It'll come off.
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.
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