How long does it take for the skin to attach back to the stomach wall after Tummy Tuck and muscle repair?

After about 8 weeks, I let my patients start some exercise.  It takes about that long for the skin to stick back to the abdominal wall.   The swelling in the tissues can take 6 months to go away.   The compression garment helps with the swelling, not the sticking of the skin to the abdominal wall.

I don't think your swelling is related to the tissue attaching back together, but rather is normal swelling seen after a tummy tuck because the lymphatic drainage in your tissue has not completely reestablished itself. It may take 4 to 6 months for you to stop having swelling, and I have seen it take up to 12 months in some people.

First thing is to make sure there is no
seroma. If you have no seroma, then it is very unlikely you would develop one
at 7 weeks; they form after taking the drains out. However, you can expect
on-and-off swelling of the lower stomach for months (even up to a year postop)
until the lymphatic drainage re-establishes normal flow. Until then, experiment
with which garment gives you the best compression, yet is the most comfortable
to wear. Hang in there, this will pass!

It can take around
four to six weeks for skin to attach to the abdominal wall. However, it can take longer in some
individuals. This is also the case in
swelling. Compression garments such as
the Marena will help reduce swelling and decrease the tendency of fluid to
accumulate or seromas to form.  Continue wearing the compression garment for the
swelling.You may wear the light
compression garment, if this is more comfortable for you.

Linda,Thank you for your question.  I know it can be frustrating to still have swelling 7 weeks after surgery.  However, this is to be expected.  I advise you to speak with your plastic surgeon and follow his/her guidelines.In my practice, I like my patients to wear a garment for the first 3 months.  It is perfectly acceptable to be wearing a stage 2 garment at this phase.  Many times patients wish to change to an over the counter garment at this phase.  However, I don't recommend it.  Often times over the counter garments can be too tight or not enough compression in the right place and swelling can get worse.My advise is to stick with the Stage 2 garment for another month.  Maybe even wearing the Stage 1 garment at night.  You are more than 1/2 way to the 3 month mark.  Keep up the good work!