I had circumferential abdominoplasty/liposuction 15 months ago and still have problems with swelling. Is this permanent?

Question

I'm still wearing a surgical binder because every time I take it off, my back and abdomen swell. The swelling moves more and more up my abdomen and back the longer I go without the garment. When I put it back on, the swelling goes back down and is comfortable. Is this permanent? I've tried lymphatic massage and it doesn't help. It's a feeling of heaviness, tightness and mild pain. With the garment on, I hardly notice any swelling at all. But, I don't want to wear this garment forever.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Your "swelling" may not be true tissue swelling (like a wet sponge), but by your description could be due to a persistent pseudobursa with seroma fluid (like a cavity with fluid within it). See your surgeon or another ABPS-certified plastic surgeon who can make this assessment. My partner and I have performed over 300 lower body lifts (circumferential abdominoplasty) as outpatient operations over the past 17 years, and have no one with persistent swelling like you describe (except in seroma/pseudobursa cases). Seroma is a very common occurrence with lower body lifts, and drains are often removed too soon, with this as the result.You may require ultrasonography to make the diagnosis, and to verify the extent and severity of a pseudobursa (go for evaluation without having worn your binder for a day or two). If this is indeed the case, aspiration, sclerotherapy, or surgical excision of the pseudobursa may be required, usually in that order. But after 15 months, only surgical excision can be expected to definitively solve the problem in many if not most cases.Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Jeremy Pyle, MD · Answer

Yours is a case where exam would be critical to determining the extent and the cause of your troubles.  An uncommon complication after large body contouring surgery is a fluid collection that goes undrained long enough to build a layer of scar around it. This layer of scar prevents your tissues from sealing together inside and does not tend to solve itself. The solution is a surgery where this is removed. However, one would want to be very certain that this is the cause before subjecting you to another surgery. An exam is helpful but can be further aided with an ultrasound.Best,Dr. Pyle

I had circumferential abdominoplasty/liposuction 15 months ago and still have problems with swelling. Is this permanent?

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I had circumferential abdominoplasty/liposuction 15 months ago and still have problems with swelling. Is this permanent?

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.