Swelling After Mini Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

Question

I had a mini Tummy Tuck and Liposuction 8 days ago and I am still very swollen.The pants I could wear before the surgery are too tight! How long until the majority of the swelling goes away?

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Swelling after any tumy tuck can be very common for up to 3 weeks at a minimum. Discuss this with your surgeon to make sure it is not a seroma/hematoma.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Swelling after a tummy tuck procedure 
typically decreases with every week that passes, with the majority of 
the swelling gone by six weeks. Lymphatic massage during the first couple weeks can help tremendously to accelerate the swelling reduction process. From that point, I often tell patients 
that they can go about freely to exercise or engage in strenuous 
activity and lifting.  Increased activity, however, may prolong how long
 the small remaining swelling takes to subside.  The swelling may also 
be more intermittent at this stage and related to the degree of activity
 in any given day.  This may last between the three - six month mark.  I
 would visit with your plastic surgeon at the six month mark to revisit 
your results and take post-op photographs.

Israel Manon, MD · Answer

Hello
The inflammation process can last from 6 months to 1 year, each patient has an individual recovery process. I recommend to be patient, wear your compression garment and follow all other instructions given by your surgeon. If you're still worried don't hesitate to consult your doctor. Good luck.
  
Regards
  
Dr. Israel Mañon
  
Certified Plastic Surgeon

John J. Edney, MD · Answer

The amount of swelling and the time necessary for it
to fully subside varies from patient to patient and the magnitude of the procedure
performed.Normally, in the course of a
mini abdominoplasty the entire abdominal wall is treated with liposuction
first.Following that, an incision is
made in the lower abdomen, lifting the skin and fat layer off of the underlying
muscle layer.This elevation is
continued up to the bellybutton.At this
point, the excess skin and fat are pulled downward and the excess is
removed.Commonly, a suction drain is
placed in this space and the skin is then closed.One would expect a longer period of swelling
if more fat was removed during the course of the liposuction.Additionally, each patient has their own
healing characteristics.In general
however, one should expect approximately 80% of the swelling to subside within
the first two to four weeks.The last
20% may take as long as four to six months.Watch my tummy tuck video for a simple and illustrated explanation of tummy tuck and body contouring procedures.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Yes, it is quite normal to be swollen eight days after a mini tummy tuck. Give it some time like 3-4 months to improve.

Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS · Answer

Patients should anticipate a significant recovery process after a mini tummy tuck with liposuction. In the early stages of wound healing, patients should expect significant swelling throughout this area. Over time, the swelling will dissipate. Here are several things that you can do. Be sure that you wear your compression garment at all times during this procedure. In our practice we provide to our patients a very tight compression garment that applies pressure from the chest down beyond the hips. We also recommend our patients initiate an exercise regimen and start a balanced low-fat diet to help them maintain their new parents.

Kent V. Hasen, MD · Answer

Swelling after a mini-abdominoplasty can last for several weeks. The mini-abdominoplasty consists of a lot of liposuction and smaller amount of skin excision. Liposuction leads to prolonged swelling and requires compression to help get the swelling to subside. Many patients in Naples, Florida cannot fit in their clothes after surgery for several weeks due to this swelling. A majority of the swelling goes down by 1 month, but can take up to 4 - 6 months for rest of the swelling to go away. Be patient!

John P. Stratis, MD · Answer

I tell my patients that the swelling gets to mthe size you were before the surgery at about 10 days aftyer the surgery then rapidly decreases over the next 3 months. Be aware that with a tummy tuck the waist location usually changes so your clothes will fit differently. The new waist will also take 3-6 months to settle in. Just be patient and you will see results.

Brian Windle, MD (retired) · Answer

After any surgery, swelling can last for up to 3 months but over that time it slowly improves.  With a tummy tuck, because there is long scar across your lower abdomen, the fluid that accumulates in all us through the course of a day and has to get absorbed through our lymph nodes.  will build up just above the scar similar to how yor ankles swell at the end of the day.  This will get better with time and it is different for everyone.  Somewhere between 3 and 6 months is has completely gone.I hope that helps.Best regards.

Swelling After Mini Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

Answers (9)

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