Loose or Swelling? 2 Weeks After Tummy Tuck - Will It Get Worse?

Question

After my TT I was not able to "pinch" any extra skin... today I wanted to take 2 weeks photos and I noticed that not only i get a roll when I sit I can pinch the skin... it is swelling or loose skin already?

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Swelling is common after surgery and you'll find that it adds the pounds as well. Allow yourself a couple of months for the majority of swelling to subside, as this is generally how long it takes. You'll find that your weight will gradually reduce as the swelling subsides.Tips to help swelling:drink fresh water and go to the washroom regularlycut down on saltleisurely walk around to keep your circulation goingwear your compression garment as advisedeat a healthy and balanced dietPlease talk to your surgeon if swelling is of particular concern, as they may be able to help you with advice specific to your situation. Best of luck!

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

loose skin after a tummy tuck is normal after some time, and also you are pinching your sides which are not the tightened area in a tummy tuck.Although right after a tummy tuck you will feel tight, that will never last forever.  Skin is an expandable tissue and will stretch and relax over time.  If it wasn't stretchable and was tight like a leather jacket, you'd have a hard time moving, bending, stretching.Tummy tuck takes away Excess skin and tightens things up, but your body is dynamic and won't stay tight forever.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Try pinching the skin below your belly button like that. You are pinching your hip skin ("Simon says put your hands on your hips" This is not reduced with a tummy tuck. You would likely require a circumferential belt lipectomy and/or a upper back lift to reduce the skin redundancy in the area you are pinching.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Keep in mind that 2 weeks post tummy tuck surgery is much too early to judge the final results of surgery.

	Generally, abdominal wall "swelling" after tummy tuck may be related to:

	1. Swelling in the soft tissues.  This may take several months to resolve and may worsen with increased activity  or at the end of the day.   Patience  is required to allow for resolution of the swelling. The swelling occurs because of the interruption of venous and lymphatic channels that occurs during the tummy tuck operation.

	2. Fluid accumulation in the space between the skin and the abdominal wall muscle.  this may consist of blood ( hematoma)  or serum (seroma).  This fluid accumulation can generally be diagnosed by physical examination ( occasionally ultrasound  may be helpful).  Treatment consists of aspiration;  several episodes of aspiration may be necessary. 

	3. Separation of the abdominal wall muscle repair may lead to a swelling/bulge appearance. This may be diagnosed on physical examination  with your surgeon examining you in different bodily positions. One of the steps of a tummy tuck procedure involves reapproximation (plication)  of the rectus muscles.  These muscles have spread apart during pregnancy and/or weight gain. Bringing them together again in the midline helps to &ldquo;tighten&rdquo; the abdominal wall as well as to narrow the waistline.

	4. Residual adipose tissue may be confused for swelling. Again this is most easily diagnosed by physical examination. Additional liposuction surgery maybe necessary to improve the results of surgery.
	Generally, it takes many months for swelling to resolve after tummy tuck surgery and it may take up to one year  (or greater)  a complete skin redraping  to occur.

	I would suggest continued patience and follow up with your plastic surgeon.

	I hope this helps.

Loose or Swelling? 2 Weeks After Tummy Tuck - Will It Get Worse?

Answers (4)

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