I am 8 days post-op tummy tuck & have tons more swelling per day? (Photos)

Question

8 days post op swelling with drains, is this normal to be this swollen? I had Lipo of flanks and bra rolls. I'm aware I will not be completely flat due to visceral fat but I'm getting married in September and wanted to start the process as I do plan to loose about 25 pds. Thanks

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

Swelling
after a tummy tuck is normal.  Some patients have prolonged swelling.
 I have seen it for 18 months, then just suddenly resolve.  What is
clear, however, is that if you listen to your body, the swelling will resolve
faster.  If there are activities that cause swelling, you must hold off on
them until they no longer create an issue.  If you try to work through the
swelling, it will prolong the process because you are never letting it heal.
 Everyone is different.  People want to get back to their routine and
want to see results, fast.  The tummy tuck is a big operation that must be
respected.  If you can exercise without swelling, then you are doing well.
 If you swell at the end of a day at work at a desk job, then you have to
be very careful with your choices, and you must rest as much as possible.
 After a month, compression also helpsAbdominoplasty treats the skin excess and muscle weakness of the abdomen, as well as any fat that is between the belly button and the pubic hairline. Liposuction treats only fat. It can be used to thin out the abdomen, but the skin must be in good condition with no excess, and there should not be muscle weakness. I do not like to combine abdominoplasty with liposuction because of the added risks of fluid collection under the skin, and wound healing problems.Aggressive liposuction with tummy tuck is dangerous.  A full tummy tuck with liposuction at the same time will certainly put you at a high risk for fluid under the tummy tuck skin (seroma). The literature is complete with this information. The science is the science. This is a risky combination. The incidence of seroma formation is about 16.0 percent in the abdominoplasty-alone group and 31.2 percent in the abdominoplasty with liposuction group.The combination of abdominoplasty and liposuction procedures can still overwhelm the body's ability to resist these shear forces by the fact that more surface area is available to “shear” and thus produce seroma fluid. Not so much as an additive effect but synergistically, such that the seroma fluid from the flanks flows into the adjacent abdominal space and resists the ability of the upper abdominal flap to close over the abdominal wall. Patients must be counseled about their risk for seroma formation and treatments aimed at resolving them including frequent postoperative visits for needle drainage and the rare case requiring operative drainage in the face of a persistent seroma.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you very much for sharing your concerns with us.At this point (8 days post-po) the swelling is normal.To reduce it, I recommend you perform daily lymphatic drainage massage therapy over the abdomen and wear a postoperative girdle from thigh to the breasts.Kind regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

Although you do not appear to be the most perfect candidate for an Abdominoplasty- you did receive a certain degree of benefit. Also, you may have had muscle tightening during the procedure which may not be perfectly apparent at this early post-op stage. 8 days is absolutely much to early to judge and evaluate your result. Give it time- follow your Doctor's instructions and you will see the final result evolve over time. Be patient. You convexity as you have stated- is most likely from your intra-abdominal organs and visceral fat. You can improve this with a commitment to reduction of overall body fat with diet and exercise.

Ravinder Jarial, DO · Answer

Greetings. Based on the photos and the number of days postop, you will be swollen. Continue to follow the postoperative instructions of your surgeon and follow up with him/her.  The swelling will decrease in time. Just remain patient. Best wishes.

Leonard Tachmes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question!Swelling 8 days post op is completely normal. In fact you will be swollen for at least another 4 months typically. Healing times can be different with each patient but for a surgery like yours it is normal to have some swelling and discomfort for the first few months. I like to advise my patients to wear a compression garment for the first month at least and optional for another two or three months to help the body contour tightly and smoothly. Gentle massage is effective too and can be self administered.

I am 8 days post-op tummy tuck & have tons more swelling per day? (Photos)

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I am 8 days post-op tummy tuck & have tons more swelling per day? (Photos)

Answers (9)

Answer: Post Op swelling

Answer: Post Op swelling

Answer: Post Op swelling

Answer: Post Op swelling

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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