is it normal to have swelling 6 months after tummy tuck and hernia repair?

Swelling can occur up to 1 year post surgery and is completely normal. Compression when active can help reduce how much swelling you have!

Swelling can take up to 6 months to a year to fully resolve. Continue your follow up appointments with your surgeon and discuss any concerns you may have. Best of luck!

Dear lilybeth2133,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello lilybeth2133, I hope you are doing excellent. In any aesthetic surgical procedure swelling is normal. There is no exact date at which you have to be completely unswollen, it depends on many factors that have to do with surgery and mainly with you and your after surgery care. Most of the patients have certain degree of swelling at the sixth month after surgery. Also, there are several things as medications, aparatology or manual massages that you can use at this point. Of course, it is very important to ask for the approbation of your plastic surgeon. Do not worry, ask your surgeon and everything will be just fine. I hope this information can help you.

At 6 months, swelling from surgery is usually not present, and if it is, it is not normal. However, you may have internal swelling from excess fat or enlarged colon which is not treatable with surgery.

Hello, yes is normal. The inflammation after a tummy tuck normally stabilizes at 12 months post op.

Good luck!

Swelling can persist for several months after a tummy tuck. Typically the majority has resolved after 3 months, but some may persist up to nine months. The swelling you describe may be related to activity level if it worsens throughout the day. Continue to follow the advice of your surgeon.

At six months results are final and patients typically do not have swelling. The only thing that will change by waiting further is how the scar looks.

Perhaps your concern is not swelling?

Consider posting before and after pictures.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Hi and welcome to our forum!During the procedure of abdominoplasty, the abdominal skin and soft tissues are separated from the underlying musculature from the ribs to the pubic area. Repair of the diastasis recti is usually performed as well. This insult to the body causes massive inflammatory swelling which will initially totally obscure the operative result. 60-80% will subside by the 6th week, with the remainder slowly dissipating over 6-12 months. The presence of excessive soft tissue of the abdomen may also affect the result. It is impossible to ascertain what is swelling and what is soft tissue early on. Some individuals swell more than others.Multiple small nerves course through the area and may be traumatized during the procedure. This may result in postoperative sensory alteration which usually abates over time (one to two years) with nerve regrowth. Persisting pain may be due to permanent injury to the nerve, resulting in a neuroma or a nerve trapped in scar. If the discomfort is more than an annoyance, I would recommend evaluation by a board certified plastic surgeon. There are various treatment modalities including the use of ultrasound and radiofrequency devices. There are de-sensitivity methods available. In rare situations, surgical exploration, localization, and ablation of the affected nerve may be required.Continue follow up care with your plastic surgeon. It's still a bit early to assess the final result of your procedure.Best wishes...