Is this swelling normal 3m PO TT and MR? I have a ridge above my incision. Will this ever resolve? Or is this the final result?

Dear cmgswan,I understand your concern and it is quite normal to be concerned about the outcome following a tummy tuck surgery. However, you are still in the very early stages of the healing process.Your will need to be patient at this moment and follow what your surgeon has instructed you to do post operatively.At the early stage of the healing process, the tissues are still swollen. Once the swelling subsides  you will be able to see the final result of your surgery.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your question and photos. While most patients see their swelling resolve by 3 months post op, swelling can last up to 6 months. I suggest seeing your surgeon to follow up on your healing, and if needed discuss any additional procedures.

Thank you for sharing your question and series of photographs.  It is difficult without an in-person examination to determine what may be taking place. In most cases there is still persistent swelling which will improve given sufficient time (6-12 months).  It is important, however, to ensure that other issues are not taking place - discrete fluid collection, muscle laxity, or residual adipose tissue.  Since your surgeon knows the full details of your operation, they are in the best position to provide you with a diagnosis and treatment option.  Best wishes.  

Thank you for your pictures and questions. It can sometimes take 3-6 months for swelling to resolved after a tummy tuck, so this is not abnormal. As for whether or not this is your final result, that is hard to say without knowing what you looked like before surgery and the details of the procedure. Often patients who are overweight before a tummy tuck have a large amount of intra-abdominal fat and this can only be decreased through weight loss. But they are under the impression that a tummy tuck is going to make them flat, when in fact they will still have a round abdomen, even after a tummy tuck, because of the intra-abdominal fat. Also, in a previous post you mentioned some issues with seroma after surgery and needing a new drain placed. So you need to see your surgeon to make sure your concerns are not related to ongoing problems with fluid accumulation.Hope this helps!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery 

It can take nine months to a year for you to see final results from a tummy tuck. However from the posted photos it appears your abdominal contour may be influenced by visceral fat. This is the fat that surrounds the organs and is behind the muscle wall. It can't be corrected with liposuction or a tummy tuck but weight loss should improve the result.

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
You are still early on the healing process, it can take up to six months to see your final results, so please be patient. At the stage you are in, inflammation is very normal.
If you have any concerns, please follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

There is a bit of difference there in thickness I would suggest to do a small lipo touch up of the area to have a smooth contour

Thanks for your question and for providing photos. It is normal to still have swelling at three months and you may notice that it builds above the incision line throughout the course of the day as you are up more and fluid settles with gravity. It can take up to 6mo for the swelling to resolve. Follow up with your surgeon to make sure the swelling is not the result of an underlying fluid collection (seroma). If the  thickness is due to residual fat underlying the skin, this can be improved with some liposuction at a later date. Best of luck.

This is normal.Usually eveyone gets some swelling proximal to the incision.Heat,time and massage all help. 

preoperative pictures would be helpful. Swelling after an abdominal plasty can take upwards of a year to dissipate particularly if you add  liposuction to the equation. That being said, if your weight is not ideal and in particular if you have visceral  underneath the muscles than a rounded apple shaped physique will often be the result.