I am 14 days post op from abdominoplasty. I feel more swollen the last 2 days. Is this normal? (Photo)

Question

Why more swelling last 2 days around belly button? I did get my period yesterday, maybe that? I still walk slow, but I tend to baby myself. Belly button area swelling more. Incision is almost healed. Is this normal to not stand up straight all the way yet?

Erik Miles, MD, FACS · Answer

It is very common to have days where you feel more swollen than other days as you continue to heal. Most often this is related to your activity level as you start to feel better and resume your pre-operative routines.  It is also probably related to your cycle as you mentioned.  Regarding standing fully upright, this also varies between patients.  In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with standing upright at this point as long as you're not straining to do so.  Keep your surgeon appraised of your concerns and do not hesitate to follow up for an examination.

Elias G. Gikas, MD · Answer

Swelling at this time after your surgery is common.  The umbilical swelling will subside over several weeks to months as well.  You may walk up straight at this stage.  Stay in touch with your surgeon to have a postoperative in person evaluation to reassure you.  Patience is needed as it takes several months to see the results.  Revision of the umbilicus can be done when fully healed if needed.

Robert Drielsma, MBBS, BSc, FRACS · Answer

Its very common to experience fluctuations in swelling, particularly as you become more active after surgery and begin using your muscles again.  Each person returns to a fully upright position at their own pace although it should be much longer before you feel comfortable straightening out.  Its important to ease back in your usual routine and follow the advice of your plastic surgeon.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

varies from how your procedure was done and what other issues you have may that may impact your recovery.  The major concerns while recovering are fluid collections, tissue compromise (which you don't appear to have), bleeding, and infection.  In the absence of these, observation is usually recommended.  As for standing straight up, most of my patients can stand 2 days post up but I an not the surgeon that excises the maximal amount of tissue.

Emily J. Kirby, MD · Answer

2 weeks is very early after surgery. Typically for the first 6 weeks, there will be fluctuations in weight and swelling as a normal part of the healing process.  You will want to be sure that you do not have a specific pocket of swelling or bruising that is worriesome.  Your plastic surgeon will let you know if you have worriesome spots.  Typically it is about 2 weeks of walking slightly bent at the waist before you are able to more comfortably stand up straighter.  Walking slowly is good at this point.  You don't want to overdo it.  A period will definitely change your body water/fluid status, as will irregular bowel habits, salty foods, and dehydration.

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

Everything looks like it is progressing appropriately. The belly button is swollen but not excessively and this will improve over the next few weeks / months. In terms of straightening I would consult with your PS for advice. I personally let patients mobilise immediately and have no concerns about straightening in the first week. Most patients manage this - some don't  and some I advise not to straighten during the first week. Each patient is individual and recovers differently and each surgeon has differing postop regimes. Let your PS reassure you.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Always best t have in person follow ups. Plus you are ONLY 14 days postop.... Healing phases take months....

J. Garrett Harper, MD · Answer

You can have a host of things contributing to your change in swelling.  The good thing is that you know that's all it is- there isn't an accumulation of fat occurring so you know it's just fluid.  Now that fluid can be in the tissues or it can settle ins space and form a seroma which is not what you want to see.  Keep wearing a compression garment, it is fine to stand up straight (at 2 weeks your back must be killing you so please stand up straight for its sake), and even gentle massage over the area can stimulate the absorption of that extra fluid.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.
As always, it is best to be seen in person ( by your plastic surgeon) for precise diagnosis and treatment.
Abdominal wall "swelling" after tummy tuck may be related to:
1. Swelling in the soft tissues.  This may take several months to resolve and may worsen with increased activity  or at the end of the day.   Patience  is required to allow for resolution of the swelling. The swelling occurs because of the interruption of venous and lymphatic channels that occurs during the tummy tuck operation.
2. Fluid accumulation in the space between the skin and the abdominal wall muscle.  this may consist of blood ( hematoma)  or serum (seroma).  This fluid accumulation can generally be diagnosed by physical examination ( occasionally ultrasound  may be helpful).  Treatment consists of aspiration;  several episodes of aspiration may be necessary. 
3. Separation of the abdominal wall muscle repair may lead to a swelling/bulge appearance. This may be diagnosed on physical examination  with your surgeon examining you in different bodily positions. One of the steps of a tummy tuck procedure involves reapproximation (plication)  of the rectus muscles.  These muscles have spread apart during pregnancy and/or weight gain. Bringing them together again in the midline helps to “tighten” the abdominal wall as well as to narrow the waistline.
4. Residual adipose tissue may be confused for swelling. Again this is most easily diagnosed by physical examination. Additional liposuction surgery maybe necessary to improve the results of surgery.
Generally, it takes many months for swelling to resolve after tummy tuck surgery and it may take up to one year (or greater)  for complete skin redraping  to occur.
I hope this helps.

I am 14 days post op from abdominoplasty. I feel more swollen the last 2 days. Is this normal? (Photo)

Answers (9)

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