How Can I Help my Swelling Go Down After Tummy Tuck??

There isn’t much you can do to speed along swelling but you can make it last longer!!! Avoid any bouncing or twisting for several weeks…Don’t try and exercise too soon…It will make you swell more. Just do gentle things, no cleaning out the garage!!! Swelling takes about 4-6 weeks and shaping takes about 6 months..But even at 3 months you may still see some swelling or indentation from a belt…Very common…

Swelling is a natural part of the healing process and there isn't much you can do but wait. Be careful  not to overdo it and do not exercise for the first 6 weeks and then start slowly. Avoid salt, get plenty of rest. Good luck.

This is completely normal at your stage after a tummy tuck. Super flat straight after surgery and then swollen for a variable period after. Wearing your compression garment will certainly help with this. The real answer is just time. Minimise vigorous exercise for the first 3-4 weeks to allow the skin to stick back down onto the tummy muscles. Most of this swelling will go away by 3 months after surgery but your final result won't be until about a year. Be patient, you will get there!

The wound healing process following abdominoplasty lasts for
over a year.Most of the swelling
resolves in six to eight weeks, but small amounts of swelling may persist for
up to a year.The procedure inevitably
interrupts the abdominal lymphatic drainage and this time to re-establish
itself.Patients
can minimize swelling with compression garments, massage and limitations on
activity levels.It’s important to
remember that swelling is a normal part of wound healing and should resolve
with time.

Swelling after tummy tuck is normal, varies from patient to patient and may take months to fully resolve.  In my practice, I encourage patients to move around gently in the first two weeks and to expect that swelling will be worse in the lower abdomen than the upper and worse at night after being upright all day than first thing in the morning.  Gentle walks are good if you are comfortable.  I will have patients with moderate swelling start wearing a high waisted compression panty at about 2 weeks.  But mostly, swelling just takes time.  If you have redness and increased pain, call your doctor.  Swelling associated with these symptoms may signal infection.  You should ask your surgeon what he or she recommends, but at one week, swelling is normal

Swelling is a normal aspect of any surgical procedure. This can be asymmetric. There are also other causes of swelling such as a fluid collection or a hematoma. If there are questions you should see your plastic surgeon.

Some temporary swelling is common. Each surgeon has different guidelines for post operative care. Consult with your surgeon as knows the scope of the surgery and the specifics about you.

Hello,

Some temporary swelling is normal and simply an indication of your body healing.  Wearing your compression garment tightly and perhaps keeping your salt intake lower are really the only things that you can do at this time.  I would avoid medication that makes you loose fluid since it is unnecessary and unhealthy.  It will get better.

All the best,

Dr Repta

A compressive garment for a few weeks may help to reduce swelling slightly quicker than if nothing is done at all - and it can provide some sense of comfort and support in addition. However, there are risks as well.

Expect that there will actually be some increased swelling over the next several weeks which will subsequently subside. It can take 4 -6 months for a majority of the swelling to resolve but really up to a year for maximal resolution. Rest and laying in bed is not a prudent option.

Make sure that you explicitly follow the instructions of your plastic surgeon and ask him/her any questions that you may have regarding care, activities, restrictions, etc.

Thank you for your question.

There is no quick way to reduce swelling after tummy tuck surgery.  Certainly, walking will help the swelling process. Some surgeons advocate massage of the area (please check with your surgeon to see his/her recommendations).

Swelling can take months to subside and it can take up to 1 year for skin redraping to occur.  

With time, the swelling will reduce and you will see the results.

I hope this helps.