I Just Had Surgery a Tummy Tuck but I Notice I Have Alot of Phlegm and Cough It This Normsl?

Question

I just had a tummy tuck on 3/13/2013 the first 2 dayswhere very hard for me but now I'm able to move around more and use the bathroom by my self:).I have a lot of phlegm after the surgery is very uncorfortable trying to cough it hurts so much! But regarless of all the pain I think is worth it and everything is about posite thinking even do I dont see mo results yet I know it takes time.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Your cough and phlegm can be normal.  During anesthesia the anesthetic assists your breathing and sometime does not expand your lungs as much as you normally would to minimize injury to the lungs.  This allow collection of mucus that needs to be cleared (phlegm). This is cleared more effectively by you naturally.  You need to try to cough to help clear this mucus so it does not potentially cause pneumonia.  It is sore to cough because the abdominal and chest muscles are irritated.  This all will improve with time during your recovery.

	Best Wishes.

	Dr. ES

David Bogue, MD · Answer

Having a cough after a prolonged surgery such as a tummy tuck is not unusual. When you are under a general anesthetic, the anesthesiologist is actually breathing for you by pushing the air into your lungs. This type of ventilation does not "open up" your lung spaces as much as normal breathing does and it is not uncommon to have to cough a lot after surgery. Your surgeon may have provided you with an incentive spirometer. This device looks like a blue in a tube which you inhale on to help "open up" those lung passages and improves both coughing and phlegm. Of course, you may simply be fighting a cold as well. If you are a smoker, this is almost routine to have a lot of coughing/phlegm after general anesthesia. To help with the pains in your abdomen, keep a small firm pillow around to hold against your abdomen when you cough. This should make the coughing a bit easier to tolerate. Dexamethasone is also a good sough suppressant which is available over-the-counter.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

I wouldn't say normal, nor alarming. Best to call your surgeon who, after some give and take over the phone can decide if you need to be seen. After general anesthetic, some patients develop small areas of lung collapse (atelectasis) which can cause those symtpoms. Cough and deep breathing is all that is usually needed. 

	All the best.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

A productive cough after an abdominoplasty is common especially if you have not be very active.  Coughing is actually good since it opens up the small airways in your lungs and can help prevent development of pneumonia.

I Just Had Surgery a Tummy Tuck but I Notice I Have Alot of Phlegm and Cough It This Normsl?

Answers (4)

Answer: Coughing after an abdominoplasty

Answer: Coughing after an abdominoplasty

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

I Just Had Surgery a Tummy Tuck but I Notice I Have Alot of Phlegm and Cough It This Normsl?

Answers (4)

Answer: Coughing after an abdominoplasty

Answer: Coughing after an abdominoplasty

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.