How Long for Swelling to Go Down After Mini Abdominoplasty?

Question

I had a mini abdominoplasty 9 weeks ago. After the surgery and for the first week my tummy was very flat and I was very happy. Into the 2nd week my tummy started to swell. I had seroma so I had my tummy drained 3 times. There is now no fluid coming out when they try to drain but it still looks swollen but better. It now feels very hard and pretty swollen underneath my bellybutton. Should the swelling be away by now as this is 9weels past and what is the hard feeling I'm feeling in my tummy

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Generally, it takes many months for swelling to resolve after tummy tuck surgery and it may take up to one year (or greater)  for complete skin redraping  to occur.
	I hope this helps.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Swelling after a tummy tuck procedure 
typically decreases with every week that passes, with the majority of 
the swelling gone by six weeks. Lymphatic massage during the first 
couple weeks can help tremendously to accelerate the swelling reduction 
process. From that point, I often tell patients 
that they can go about freely to exercise or engage in strenuous 
activity and lifting.  Increased activity, however, may prolong how long
 the small remaining swelling takes to subside.  The swelling may also 
be more intermittent at this stage and related to the degree of activity
 in any given day.  This may last between the three - six month mark. The hardness that you feel in the tummy may be the scar tissue that 
formed around the seroma.  This should also soften over the next few 
months.   I
 would visit with your plastic surgeon regularly so they can help monitor your progress.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Thank you for your post.  Seromas can be painful and cause a cosmetic deformity, as well as sometimes leak.  The whole point of drains is to keep a seroma from happening in the first place.  If a drainless procedure was performed, and you had a seroma, or you had drains that were pulled and you subsequently had a seroma, then you should be drained, otherwise a capsule builds around the fluid making it permanent.  If a capsule builds around the seroma (pseudo bursa or encapsulated seroma) then the only way to remove the seroma is to surgically open the areas and excise the capsule, and close over drains to prevent another seroma from happening.  If the seroma is encapsulated and is tight and painful, then it can be confused with just swelling or fat.  An ultrasound is useful in distinguishing these and identifying the extent of the seroma. If the seroma is not yet encapsulated, then it is usually loose and has a 'fluid wave' or water bed type feel.  Occasionally, a seroma can also become infected, especially if a permanent braided suture was used.  This will have a hot, red appearance, and will eventually open up.  I have never seen an infection from sterile aspiration of fluid.Best wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

The good news is that if this looked good at a week, it will most certainly look good when all the swelling is resolved. 

	The duration of edema (swelling) varies from person to person, but can take some months. The number of aspirations needed will likely prolong the course. The firmness is part of the inflammation and healing

	 

	Patience.

	Best wishes.

Richard Hodnett, MD · Answer

You can expect swelling up to 6 months after a tumm yck procedure. If you have seroma, then you may require longer recovery period. Seroma is not necessary a complication of tummy tuck, but rather an unanticipated but not unusual event. As long as it is drained properly, you should be fine. Daily massaging of the scare area will expedite the reduction of swelling. Be patient and trust your surgeon.

How Long for Swelling to Go Down After Mini Abdominoplasty?

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Answer: How Long for Swelling to Go Down After Mini Abdominoplasty

Answer: How Long for Swelling to Go Down After Mini Abdominoplasty

Answer: Recovery time after tummy tuck or mini tuck

Answer: Recovery time after tummy tuck or mini tuck

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How Long for Swelling to Go Down After Mini Abdominoplasty?

Answers (7)

Answer: How Long for Swelling to Go Down After Mini Abdominoplasty

Answer: How Long for Swelling to Go Down After Mini Abdominoplasty

Answer: Recovery time after tummy tuck or mini tuck

Answer: Recovery time after tummy tuck or mini tuck

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Everything you need to know about Mini Tummy Tuck

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