Are pain and swelling normal at 3 weeks post-op?

Hi, Thank you for your post. Congratulations on your surgery!  It takes 6 months to a year for the swelling to go down after a tummy tuck. Pain is normally controlled by pain medicine. If you have any questions or concerns follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Hello, and thank-you for your question.The recovery following a tummy tuck depends on the extent of surgery (mini, modified, full, or extended tummy tuck), the amount of liposuction, number of additional procedures performed, ect.  There has been a break through in the technology of post op pain relief for tummy tucks.  A new medication named Exparel is now being used that will provide for 3-4 days of post op pain relief, speeding up the recovery process!  The procedure can be done as an outpatient, but an overnight stay may be recommended.  Individuals will generally take a week to 10 days off of work.  Most of my patients are able to stand upright at 2 to weeks. It is normal to still feel tired and not quite yourself 3 weeks after a tummy tuck with liposuction. Swelling begins to subside in 3 weeks and it may take 6-8 weeks to resolve.  My patient report that they typically start to feel better 2 to 3 weeks after the procedure and report feeling "normal" 6 weeks post-operatively. With my own patients, I do my best to keep the lines of communication open and do everything possible to speed their recovery. Best of luck, Andrew Lyos, MD, FACS

Healing and recovery are patient dependent.  In most patients, the discomfort after the TT is controlled by oral pain medicine.  It may take 6 months or longer after surgery before all of the swelling is gone. Some of this will depend upon the surgical technique and adherence to postoperative protocols.  Your plastic surgeon is a great resource, and his/her exam is much better than speculation on my part. 
Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA