Still Swollen Almost 11 Weeks Post-op Tummy Tuck - What is Going On? (photo)

Question

I got a tummy tuck done June 4th of this year. The surgeon did not touch my abdomen and did not perform liposuction. I had a difficult recovery and was VERY swollen. Most of the swelling has gone down but there is still a significant amount left and I'm very frustrating. When I suck my stomach in I cannot see any sign of my ribcagn sunda

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your pictures.  You may still have some swelling at this point but not very much.  It seems that you have a poor result with a poorly designed incision and remaining excess fat/skin.  You should seek second opinions about a revision.

	Dr. ES

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.
As always, it is best to be seen in person ( by your plastic surgeon) for precise diagnosis and treatment.
Abdominal wall "swelling" after tummy tuck may be related to:
1. Swelling in the soft tissues.  This may take several months to resolve and may worsen with increased activity  or at the end of the day.   Patience  is required to allow for resolution of the swelling. The swelling occurs because of the interruption of venous and lymphatic channels that occurs during the tummy tuck operation.
2. Fluid accumulation in the space between the skin and the abdominal wall muscle.  this may consist of blood ( hematoma)  or serum (seroma).  This fluid accumulation can generally be diagnosed by physical examination ( occasionally ultrasound  may be helpful).  Treatment consists of aspiration;  several episodes of aspiration may be necessary. 
3. Separation of the abdominal wall muscle repair may lead to a swelling/bulge appearance. This may be diagnosed on physical examination  with your surgeon examining you in different bodily positions. One of the steps of a tummy tuck procedure involves reapproximation (plication)  of the rectus muscles.  These muscles have spread apart during pregnancy and/or weight gain. Bringing them together again in the midline helps to “tighten” the abdominal wall as well as to narrow the waistline.
4. Residual adipose tissue may be confused for swelling. Again this is most easily diagnosed by physical examination. Additional liposuction surgery maybe necessary to improve the results of surgery.
Generally, it takes many months for swelling to resolve after tummy tuck surgery and it may take up to one year  (or greater)  a complete skin redraping  to occur.
I hope this helps.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Based on your photos, your plastic surgeon removed excess abdominal skin and fat.  However, you could benefit from further liposuction and scar revision.  I would wait another month or two prior to your revision surgery. Although most of tissue edema (swelling) should have gone away by now, you may still have some residual swelling.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

I am not sure of the meaning of not touching the abdomen. I assume you mean no tightening of the muscles was done, and that may explain part of what bothers you.

	As to the swelling, there are a number of possibilites

	
		post op swelling in the tissues
	
		fluid collection--seroma or hematoma
	
		insufficient abdominal tightening (and indeed, maybe none was done)
	
		thick abdominal fat left in place


	To the sides it looks like either the TT might have been continued further around the back, or liposuction done to the flanks. It will be best to discuss with your surgeon. 

	All the best.

Cynthia Disla, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Are   sure  is   swollen   ??  nmaybe     you    have  some  expections      and  as   your  abdominal    wall is not  flat    you   think  is   presenting    swollen ,  it  has     been  almost   2 month   after   your  surgery   wich is   a  considerable time,   maybe    you   did not have  muscle  tighten ,   and   that  is   what   you can  traduct as  swollen ,   also      it looks  it  was insuficient skin resection,    and  no lipo   on the  waist    line    wich   would   be  helpfull   for   final results

Still Swollen Almost 11 Weeks Post-op Tummy Tuck - What is Going On? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Still Swollen What is Going On?

Answer: Still Swollen What is Going On?

Answer: 11 weeks after TT

Answer: 11 weeks after TT

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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

Still Swollen Almost 11 Weeks Post-op Tummy Tuck - What is Going On? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Still Swollen What is Going On?

Answer: Still Swollen What is Going On?

Answer: 11 weeks after TT

Answer: 11 weeks after TT

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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