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

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