One week post tummy tuck. Is my weight on the scale accurate, or is it inflated from swelling?

Question

I am up on my weight by five pounds s/p one week tt and wondering if it is my weight up from lower activity/not decreasing eating to match or can it still be from being swollen ? Didn't know if swollen translated to more weight on a scale?

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Do not measure yourself immediately after any surgery. It is extremely common for your body to retain fluid and swell. It is not unusual for your weight to be elevated for a minimum of 3 weeks.

Mark A. Schusterman, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Undoubtedly, your increase in weight is due to fluid retention from the surgery.  It is also important to remember that a tummy tuck is a shape changing procedure not a weight loss procedure.

Florence Mussat, MD · Answer

Hi Rose,yes this is normal: this is water weight within your tissues, and also your guts since everything swells up after surgery.start with sugar free Metamucil, 3 tall glasses a day, so this will help you to go and not be so bloated from your intestines.then cut down on pain meds: all narcotics will bloat you up. see if you can switch to Advil, Motrin.if your drains are out, you should be able to shower daily, wear a soft girdle, and start walking. walking is always good for all recoveries !you will be allowed to return to the gym at 6 weeks.follow a high protein diet ( Dukan, fee on line ).at 2 months we tell our patients to buy a cincher/or corset.all this will help you re-define your waist, and assuming you had liposuction on your flanks, you get a new figure too.Happy recovery !Florence Mussat

Kiran Polavarapu, MD · Answer

Weight can definitely fluctuate after a tummy tuck due to swelling. However, without having examined your before and after your surgery, it would be hard to give an accurate answer.  Drink plenty of water, low fat and low salt foods as part of your healthy diet. Talk to your plastic surgeon about your concerns.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

With both liposuction and tummy tuck, there is considerable fluid and swelling that will keep your weight high for several weeks after the procedure. It is not uncommon to remove 10 pounds of sin excess, yet weigh more shortly after the procedure. Be patient and stay off the scale.

Anh Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

It is very common to see the scale go up after surgery but this will normalize over time.  Remember having a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure.  Your results will be enhanced by keeping a healthy lifestyle.

One week post tummy tuck. Is my weight on the scale accurate, or is it inflated from swelling?

Answers (6)

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