Is permanent lymphedema possible after Tummy Tuck?

Question

I had a mastectomy/DIEP flap surgery in March of this year. My tummy is still painfully swollen, sometimes worse than other times depending on the time of day and the extent of my activity. I'm up 3 pant sizes and can't stand any sort of waist band. The swelling is above and below the incision site, sometimes all the way from top of my rib cage to my pubic bone. Is permanent lymphedema possible after tummy tuck? Should I be getting massages, is there surgery that can help? Thank you!

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

When you have a DIEP it is not the same as a tummy tuck in that you did not have the abdominal muscles sutured tight. You just had the skin removed. That is one reason for swelling. There are many other reasons you could be swollen. You could have a fluid collection, lymphedema or the nerves to the muscles are not working well causing them to bulge out. This last one is highly unlikely if you are having total abdominal swelling. It would be super rare to have all the nerves not working to the muslces. So it is likely swelling from surgery or fluid. Lymphedema can last a very long time and it could be permanent if the lymphatics were all taken out, again super rare that that was done. Massage can help but before you do any of that check with your surgeon first.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Swelling after a tummy tuck can take quite a while to finally subside.  At 5 months you should be seeing the swelling go down consistently but its not uncommon to still have some swelling.  Since your tummy tuck was done as part of a DIEP flap breast reconstruction there are additional factors involved.  The lymphatics and swelling following this type of procedure will undoubtedly take longer.  A pseudo-bursa may also be possible.  Your plastic surgeon can give you a better idea of which of these sources of swelling is present after evaluation and exam.  A quick video of what a pseudo-bursa is as well as a link is included.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta

Vincent D. Lepore, MD (retired) · Answer

It is highly unlikely that one will develop permanent lymphedema after a tummy tuck, or even after a DIEP flap surgery. However, if you are still experiencing swelling several months after your procedure, you may have a seroma (fluid collection) in you incision site.  Have your surgeon examine you.  If it is a seroma, your surgeon should be able to remove the fluid with a syringe.  Best wishes, Dr. Lepore.

Is permanent lymphedema possible after Tummy Tuck?

Answers (3)

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