“Words of warning about swelling from a tummy tuck”
Tummy tuck: NOT worth it
Pain: Severe
I want to put this at the top because nobody will tell you this before you get it done: you will still have swelling YEARS after a tummy tuck! Not maybe or a few people but you WILL. This was the biggest surprise for me: when I went to forums and found out this was normal but no one told me at the time. Everybody should know this because I might not have done this if I’d known.
I am 15 months post-op FTT. I went in for the usual reasons and I do like my results. I am much thinner and I have my figure back. Don’t get me wrong because I do enjoy this and consider it a good thing. The surgery did as advertised.
The tummy tuck I think is just too invasive. Your body will never adjust completely to the new way you are, which is why you swell. Things like sodium are a big no-no. Your body will retain fluid and it will take up residence in your belly.
Your lifestyle may have to change too. I used to always sleep on my right side; it’s just where I was most comfortable. I can’t do that now because I will wake up crooked in the belly area. That is something to have to explain!
Then there’s the activity levels too. You get a tummy tuck to stay thin, right? Well, exercising makes you fat. Seriously. Whenever I walk or do any hard activity (e.g. heavy gardening), my belly swells. It may stay like that for days too.
These are all things the nurses will sorta almost tell you but you have to experience it to get the full extent.
My advice: if you want to be thinner and think you can deal with changing your lifestyle in bizarre ways then by all means, go for the tummy tuck. It does work and I won’t lie about that. I just wish I’d known all this stuff first.
Jul 27, 2007Comments and replies (16)
unregistered guest
9 Sep 2007
I am so glad that you posted this comment because I feel that the swelling is to a point where I feel like I wasted my money and severely scarred my tummy and navel for nothing. I cant eat or drink anything that day if I plan on looking slim for an evening out or something just as before. I am 4 almost 5 months post op and getting depressed and worried. Thanks again!
unregistered guest
23 Dec 2007
Thanks for the info. This is something im hearing for the first time, have you heard of this ever going away?
unregistered guest
21 Feb 2008
I had a tummy tuck five years ago, after I had lost 70 pounds. I went to 110 pounds, with so much loose skin on my lower abdomen, I was wondering if the weight loss was worth it. I had heard horror stories about the recovery period, and of possible loss of sensation to the abdomen area, but I was determined to give it a go. Yes, the first week was hard.... and painful, much like me C section 10 years before, but with no adorabalr baby to show for it. I was back in the gym in two weeks, lifting heavy weights agin in 4. Yes, I experience some swelling for a couple of months, certainly not YEARS. I had my surgery on Mother's Day, and was showing off a six pack by in a bikini by July. I exercise A LOT ( 5-7 days per week), and I never experience anything like the girl posting did. I watch what i eat, but I am not terribly restrictive ( if I want chips, I have some, just not the whole bag). I sleep exactly the same way I used to... I have several gym buddies who have the procedure done, and none of them experienced anything bad, either. I take issue with your blanket statement that you WILL have swelling for years afterwards; simply not true. I think your experience is atypical. My suregery was five years ago, and I still have an exceptionally flat tummy, complete with the 6 pack, and I am in my mid forties.... the gals at the gym are always commenting on my abs. The big thing is to go into this surgery in your absolute best shape that you can manage... you will recover more quickly, and have less side affects. This IS major surgery, and should be thought out carefully before you proceed. If you are not committed to eating clean and exercising regularly, there is no point in putting yourself through this thing, because the results will not be what you are expecting, and what results you do get will not last.
1 post
8 Nov 2008
I am 3 months post op and still look like a buddha in my upper belly and I am frustated,but I have others tell me to be patient. But like the first poster,I too have to watch what I eat or what I do,because I swell lke a balloon
12 posts
22 Dec 2008
I think it's a far cry to say *everyone WILL* have this or that. I am new to the tuck (2 weeks) but I did an extensive amt of homework and have been heavily active in support networks and this is the very first time I've heard this. What I hear most often is you will have bouts of swelling for up to a year. Never heard exercise makes you fat. I find a hard time believing that one. Sounds like something is going on that you should discuss with your Dr.
unregistered guest
30 Dec 2008
i had a tummy tuck about 3weeks ago and i am very happy with my results thus far. the pain was very minimal i just felt really sore and tight.
2 posts
30 Apr 2009
I had a ftt w/mr and lipo 9 days ago. The pain is not so bad as the discomfort. My flanks are still swollen from the lipo, so Im not completely flat. I have not had any major complications and my PS says Im doing well. I have to admit that this post caused me some concern, as I love to work out, Salsa dance, with some weight lifting. I am sorry that you are experiencing this. Any one have some advice on the beginning stages of recovery?
2 posts
8 Oct 2009
am seven days post op the day after surgery had dressing changed to my totally amazement i could see my lady area haha then yesterday after i had my dressing changed again to my disapointment my stomach is like a waterbed am really worried is this norm i had lipo last week too my legs look bigger than before i know its only a week an am being very inpatient just wanted to put mind at rest xx
2 posts
16 Oct 2009
This post gives me encouragement as i am now 8 months post-op and still swelling. I only returned to the gymn 3 weeks ago cause even vigorous walking makes me swell. At this point i just decided to ignore it and go anyways. My upper ab sometimes looks like one of those starving kids on tv and is very distended, hard and uncomfortable. Besides exercise i find that prolonged periods of sitting will cause me to swell also so i avoid long road trips. Thanks AGAIN glad to know i am not the only one.