Follow Up; 11 weeks post op tummy tuck with lipo on the flanks. the swelling continues. Any suggestions? (photos)

I would not be too concerned at
this point as it may take a year for your swelling to resolve completely and
your final results to emerge. I recommend following up with your surgeon to make sure that what you are observing is normal swelling and not something else (i.e. fluid collection.) Best regards. 

Thank you for sharing your photos and frustrations. At 3 months post-op, you look great. I know it may seem like you should be healed by now, but it can take anywhere from 6-12 months to see full results. You are following instructions perfectly by drinking a lot of water and avoiding too much sodium, so you are on the fast track to recovery. Just be patient and remember to take it easy. Best of luck. -Dr. Coan

Talk to your plastic surgeon so that he/she can examine and advise you more appropropriately. However, you are still early in your recovery phase and swelling can take several months to truly resolve. It is a common complaint for patients that undergo tummy tucks to feel swollen immediately after removing the garment as well. A few things that may help: 1. make sure your garment is still giving you the appropriate compression. If too loose, it's not helping. If its too tight, your legs will swell.2. decrease yout salt intake. Drink plenty of water. That helps alot with the swelling. Many times patients drink less water thinking it will make the swelling resolve. The opposite is true. 3. Change positions frequently. If you are in a chair/desk position most of the time. Make sure you are getting up and walking around frequently to help with circulation. 4. Eat high fiber fruits and veggies to help with constipation and bloating which can also make you feel even more uncomfortable and "tight" in a compression garment.Hope this helps! Good luck!-KP

Congratulations on your new figure!  Although you did not provide before images, your abdomen looks great with a low incision that is easily covered and a natural looking umbilicus.  The swelling on the lower abdominal wall should be evaluated by your plastic surgeon to differentiate a seroma from edema.  A seroma would be a fluid collection that develops in the plane between the muscles and the flap of skin and fat that has been elevated, while edema is swelling within the tissue itself.  If you have a seroma, it usually can be managed easily with needle aspiration and compression.  If you simply have swelling, it will improve over time and may be aided by compression and massage.  It is not unusual for patients to have increased swelling a few months after surgery as they increase physical activity.  Be reassured that it will resolve as you get farther out from your procedure.  

Thank you for your question and sharing photos. It sounds like you are following your doctor's recommendations and you should continue to do so. The healing process can take anywhere from 6-12 months. It is not uncommon for the area to be swollen followed by being less swollen then swollen again from day to day or week to week. With that being said, I would still suggest that you contact your plastic surgeon and schedule a follow-up to ensure that you aren't experiencing any complications. Best of luck for a healthy recovery.

Thank you for the question and photos.  Its not uncommon to have periodic changes in swelling during the early recovery period.  It will be important, however, for you and your plastic surgeon to try an differentiate between swelling and other possible sources of fullness such as:-excess fat-seroma-pseudo-bursa-abdominal wall loosenessAn in person examination and discussion usually is sufficient to accomplish this, however an ultrasound or a CT scan may also be helpful at times.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta

Yes the swelling will continue until 2 or 3 month after the surgery,we recommend after the first 2 or 5 days just right after the procedure star the massages with ultrasound machine and use the garment by a monthnDr Roberto Guerrero 

Healing takes a year and there is no short cut.  The zillions of little lymphatic vessels must reconnect to take care of the swelling and this takes time.  Be patient and all goos thuings happen.  My best   ,  Dr C