12 days post tummy tuck. Can fluid build-up after drainage tubes removal cause compression garment to tighten?

Question

I had a tummy tuck w/o liposuction 12 days ago. I am currently wearing a very constricting compression garment which is causing discomfort. Yesterday I took a shower after having my drains removed and my compression garment was more difficult to hook-up. I am assuming this may be due to fluid build-up. Is this normal? Does this mean I must wear this specific garment for a longer period of time? How long does fluid keep building up after a TT?

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes. Swelling after a tummy tuck is normal. Some patients have prolonged swelling. I have seen it for 18 months, then just suddenly resolve. What is clear, however, is that if you listen to your body, the swelling will resolve faster. If there are activities that cause swelling, you must hold off on them until they no longer create an issue. If you try to work through the swelling, it will prolong the process because you are never letting it heal. Everyone is different. People want to get back to their routine and want to see results, fast. The tummy tuck is a big operation that must be respected. If you can exercise without swelling, then you are doing well. If you swell at the end of a day at work at a desk job, then you have to be very careful with your choices, and you must rest as much as possible. After a month, compression also helps

Donald W. Hause, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The drains that you had were allowing fluid that can accumulate after surgery to be removed. The drains work until the body can absorb the fluid but there is a balance. It is common for patients to have a little more swelling after removing the drains and this is usually well tolerated after a few days. If the fluid is too much for the body to absorb, a collection of fluid, called a seroma, can develop. It would feel like a plastic bag filled partly with water that would move around when pushing on it. If that develops, it may require drainage. The best person to evaluate this is your surgeon. Assuming you do not have a seroma, the tissue  swelling should take care of itself in a week or so. Make sure to discuss this with your surgeon. Best of luck.

12 days post tummy tuck. Can fluid build-up after drainage tubes removal cause compression garment to tighten?

Answers (2)

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