Will lymphatic massages at 8 months post op help minimize swelling and tightness from tummy tuck?

Question

Hi, I had a Tummy Tuck w/ No Lipo and Monsplasty procedure done in May 2023. I was told Not to get Lymphatic Massages because it was not necessary. Now I am 8 months post-op and my lower belly is swollen and still pretty tight. Can I get lymphatic massages to make the swelling go down or is this normal?

Ramin Behmand, MD, FACS · Answer

This is an excellent question. There are several factors to consider here, and I will address them. However, you can absolutely try lymphatic massage, even if it is later in the process.  Here are the factors that may be causing the “tight” and “swollen” sensation that you are experiencing:

1. Persistent numbness. The area below the belly button, fanning out like an inverted V from the navel, tends to stay numb the longest. Sensation in this area returns by 1 to 1.5 years after surgery, but not always.  The numbness can give the feeling of being swollen, much like when you visit the dentist, and feel like you have a fat lip after the numbing injection. In fact, there is no fat lip when you look in the mirror.

2. Residual Swelling. The abdominoplasty operation, disrupts the normal fluid, and blood flow in the abdominal wall. Before surgery, fluid could flow up, down, and to the sides of the abdominal skin, and the underlying tissues. After surgery, the lower abdominal incision does not allow downward movement of fluid. So when you are upright, you get more swollen in the lower abdomen, than when you lay down. Generally, the tightness might feel better in the morning, when you first wake up, but increases as the day goes on because you've been mostly upright. This issue resolves almost completely, but can take longer than just 8 months in some patients. Lymphatic massage, will help this problem at any point in the process. You also may find it helpful to lay down flat for 30 minutes to 1 hour at some point in the middle of the day to allow some swelling to dissipate, making the end of the day less uncomfortable.

3. Tightness.  The tightness is real, and it is the goal of a tummy tuck.  However, the tightness may not be quite as noticeable earlier in the process because of the deep numbness that is present in the early months after surgery. So yes, being numb can make the area feel both swollen, and tight, and at the same time, when the sensation returns, it makes you more aware of the actual tissue tightness.  If present, this also resolves on its own, but does take a longer time of 1 to 1.5 years.

4. Seroma or a pocket of fluid. This is very unlikely at this stage. However, you could ask your surgeon to take a look.

These factors can be in play alone, or together. Lymphatic massage is likely to help, and more importantly, trying it does not hurt anything.

Dr. B.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding lymphatic massage and post-operative swelling. Eight months after a tummy tuck, it’s unusual to experience significant swelling, but some residual tightness and minor puffiness, especially in the lower abdomen, can still occur in some patients. This swelling often results from the natural healing process, including minor scar tissue buildup and changes in the lymphatic system around the surgical site.

Lymphatic massage can still be beneficial even this far into recovery, as it helps stimulate fluid movement and reduce any lingering inflammation. While most of the intense initial swelling typically resolves within the first few months, gentle lymphatic massages might still help minimize the feeling of tightness and manage residual swelling. I recommend seeking out a licensed lymphatic massage therapist experienced with post-surgical patients, as they can customize the treatment to support your healing process safely.

Additionally, staying hydrated and avoiding excess sodium can further support reducing any minor swelling. Be sure to consult with your plastic surgeon before starting the massage treatments to ensure this approach aligns with your recovery plan.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Brian Bassiri-Tehrani, MD · Answer

This is a good question. Lymphatic massage is best when performed around the time of surgery - the earlier the better - as long as it is tolerated. After about 6 months or so, a lot of the swelling has subsided. However, if there are still areas of firmness or fibrosis, lymphatic massage can be helpful to help break up some adhesions and scar tissue and promote the overall recovery process. It may loosen and soften up the area. It may not be 100% effective, but it is not harmful to the results or the skin, and may be worth considering. Hope this helps!

Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD · Answer

It takes up to a year to totally heal from a tummy tuck. Doing lymphatic massage at this time can still help. I would find a massage therapist to help you with these exercises.

Chad Douglas Tattini, MD · Answer

Although lymphatic massage is important to your postop recovery, most of the benefit is noticed in the first few months after your surgery. It is not as helpful 8 months postop but it does depend. It is important to investigate all possibilities as to why you think you may still be swollen at this stage.

Bryan Curtis, MD · Answer

At 8 months post-op from a tummy tuck, you may still experience some residual swelling and tightness, although it's likely to have significantly improved compared to the earlier stages of your recovery. Lymphatic drainage massages can be beneficial for reducing swelling and promoting lymphatic circulation, which may help further alleviate any lingering swelling or tightness.Here's how lymphatic massages may help at this stage:1. Reducing Swelling: Lymphatic drainage massages can help stimulate the lymphatic system, which plays a key role in removing excess fluid and toxins from tissues. By facilitating lymphatic circulation, these massages may help reduce swelling in the treated area.2. Improving Healing: By promoting lymphatic circulation, lymphatic massages may also help improve the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, which can support ongoing healing and tissue repair.3. Enhancing Comfort: Some individuals may experience residual tightness or discomfort in the abdominal area following a tummy tuck. Lymphatic drainage massages can help relax tense muscles and tissues, potentially improving overall comfort and mobility.4. Scar Management: While lymphatic massages primarily target swelling and fluid retention, they may indirectly benefit scar management by promoting healthy tissue healing and minimizing inflammation around the scar site.Before incorporating lymphatic drainage massages into your post-tummy tuck recovery regimen at 8 months post-op, it's essential to consult with your plastic surgeon. They can assess your individual healing progress and provide recommendations based on your specific needs and concerns. Additionally, ensure that any lymphatic massages are performed by a trained and certified therapist experienced in post-surgical care to ensure safety and effectiveness.In addition to lymphatic massages, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, proper hydration, and a balanced diet, can also support ongoing healing and minimize swelling and tightness. Remember to follow any post-operative instructions provided by your plastic surgeon and attend all follow-up appointments to ensure a smooth and successful recovery.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Swelling should have resolved by 8 months post op.  I encourage you to visit with your surgeon to ensure that it's just swelling that you are noticing and not an underlying issue such as a seroma.  The tight feeling is not uncommon.  Some gentle stretches done consistently may help.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

At this point, your results are final, and you are no longer swollen.
The most common reason patients experienced bulging of their abdomen, or a tight sensation is due to excess visceral fat.
This can often be determined during in person consultation and often be seen in before pictures.
To make an assessment on the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure we generally need to see a complete set of proper before and after pictures. If you don’t have before and after pictures and ask your surgeon to forward the ones they took.
 Visceral fats can only be reduced with weight loss.
Excess visceral fat is the number one reason patients complain of bulging after a full tummy tuck.
Try losing five or 10 pounds and see if this improves your outcome.
Take baseline pictures and then take new pictures if you change in weight to get an idea of how much weight fluctuations influence your outcome.
 There are four tissue variables that determine what the abdomen looks like.
If somebody doesn’t like the way, the abdomen looks the problem is almost always one or more of these four variables.
They are.
1) abdominal laxity due to previous pregnancies or weight loss2) excess subcutaneous fat
3). Muscle separation from previous pregnancy.
4) visceral or abdominal fat.
If you’ve had a tummy tuck, then you should no longer have excess skin. Your subcutaneous fat layer should be thin from the procedure and muscle seperation was most likely addressed.
This leaves only one tissue variable left, which is excess visceral fat and like I mentioned earlier, this is almost always the reason patients complain of bulging and tightness after this procedure.
Weight loss is the solution.
To get an accurate assessment, I suggest having in person second opinion consultations.
Best,
Matt Hagstrom, MD

Will lymphatic massages at 8 months post op help minimize swelling and tightness from tummy tuck?

Answers (8)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (8)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

Would a mini-tummy tuck suffice in order to flatten my stomach area & remove the pouch? (Photos)

How can I smooth skin post tummy tuck? (Photo)

What is the cause of my round belly c7 months post partum? DR is not too big and I do not have any excess fat. Stretched wall?

What could be causing my swelling 6 months after extended tummy tuck, liposuction, muscle repair and mons lift? (photos)

Tummy Tuck with fibroid removal?

Should only lower abdominal muscle be repaired in a tummy tuck if upper abdominal muscle is not separated?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS