Is It Normal to Have Swelling After Removing an Abdominal Binder?

Hello! Thank you for your question!. The tummy tuck procedure is an
excellent method for contouring of your abdomen, often removing the
excess skin as well as tightening the abdominal wall. After nearly all
surgical procedures, a potential space is created from where the
surgical procedure/dissection was performed. This is especially true
for the tummy tuck, in where the abdominal flap is raised off of the
abdominal wall and then redraped atop the area to contour the abdomen.
The procedure alone promotes swelling and inflammation, which typically
lasts for 6-12 weeks. This may even last longer if liposuction has been
performed in addition. During this time, a few things may be done to
allow adherence of the abdominal skin/soft tissue to readhere to the
abdominal wall and close that space. Many surgeons use drains to
evacuate the expected serous fluid from building up. Stagnant fluid as
such may be a nidus for infection as well as does not allow the tissue
to adhere back to its normal anatomic position. Drains usually are
removed once output is <30cc/day - usually removed within 3-4 weeks
on average, sometimes longer. When this occurs, a seroma may develop -
which may require aspiration or surgical evacuation to rid this in order
to optimize your result. This is not an uncommon reason for
persistent swelling and/or bulging in a certain area of your belly. Of
course, thwarting the development of a pseudobursa, or seroma capsule,
is always best, to provide the best result as well as avoid any future
procedures for this. This may be a troubling consequence and often
compromises your overall result. Thus avoiding this complication, in
whatever manner, is the objective. "Drainless" tummy tucks are becoming
more popular - basically, the overlying tissue is physically sutured to
the abdominal wall to close the potential space. In addition, most
surgeons typically restrict vigorous activity/strenuous exercise as well
as lifting restrictions of usually <20#, especially the core, for
6-8 weeks to allow healing to continue. Most also often recommend an
abdominal compression-type binder or garment, which will serve to
provide
compression as well as assist to decrease swelling and eliminate the
dead-space of the area for at least 6 weeks as well.  It is not uncommon to experience some swelling once the binder is removed - most patients like wearing a compression garment for several weeks past the recommended 6 week period.  For you, if you are experiencing additional swelling, use of such for an extended period may be helpful to you.  After the initial
binder, many patients like the Spanx garments. Most patients are
able to return to most activities within a couple of weeks, provided
they adhere to the restrictions. Overall, this is a procedure
with a high satisfaction rate. Discuss the procedure and postoperative
instructions/restrictions with your surgeon, as these will vary among
surgeons. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Yes, this is very common and can take a few more weeks to subside. I usually recommend patients wear their garment 24 hours a day for three weeks after their surgery, then only in the day for up to 6 weeks or so, however you should ask your surgeon for their advice. You may want to wear your garment during the day just to alleviate the swelling, or switch to a Spanx type of garment if that is more comfortable.

Swelling is normal and may persist for 4-6 months.  There is a large area to heal so you will have to allow time for that to occur.

Some swelling, especially if you've been wearing a compression garment regularly, should be expected.  It's only been 6 weeks after surgery, and you noted that you've been wearing your compression garment all of the time as instructed, so some swelling to occur after you remove it is normal. 
 

Every patient is different, so the amount of swelling you have may be different compared to other people.  Also, plastic surgeons vary as to how long you should wear a compression garment after a tummy tuck.  You should talk to your plastic surgeon as to how long he/ she recommends wearing your compression garment.

 

You may have some increased swelling at the end of the day, if you're on your feet a lot, or if you exercise.  Thiss is normal as well, and should go away when you lie down or when you wake up after a night's sleep.

 

 

 

 

Hi,  It is very common to have the yo-yo effect that you are describing post op tummy tuck.  What happens is that the normal vascularization of the redraped  upper abdominal tissue is taken away and will need up to a year to reestablish itself as the vessels regrow into the tissue that was pulled down in your procedure.  As the vessels regrow, then the swelling will be more normal as the day goes by and not be like a "wet sponge" getting engorged as you are upright during the day.  The binder is good to wear but not an absolute.  It does compress the tissue and it seems to be swollen less but that is merely the binder keeping the redraped tissue squeezed.  The swelling will go down over time with or without the binder as long as you are "reattached" and it seems that you are.  Be patient....there will be a lot of interesting changes that you will notice and be quite pleased with as it happens.  Be sure to stay close to your board certified plastic surgeon and have your questions answered.

Hello Jolie, yes, it is normal to have swelling 5 weeks after a tummy tuck. It's very common for patients to have significant swelling after a tummy tuck, especially if liposuction is performed at the same time. I advise my patients to wear their garment for at least 4-6 weeks after a tummy tuck. Then, I advise them to switch to a second stage garment, like Spanx. I also advise them to massage these areas and not exercise for 6 weeks after surgery.

I hope this helps and wish you all the best!

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)  a complete skin redraping  to occur.
I hope this helps.

every ps has been taught differently to some extent. That is why it is  sometimes called the art of surgery . I tell my abdominoplasties to wear the garment 24/7 for 6-8 weeks then wear the binder 8 hours per day for another 6-8 weeks. The reason is that I believe the inflammatory period last at least 3 months long. I have had patients say that they swell on one side some days and another side another day. The more active they are the more they swell.  Most of my patients prefer to wear a spanx type garement. cheaper , more comfortable which leads to more compliance. I learned alot with doing an abdominoplasty on my nurse. seeing her eveyday in the office I noticed that the garment made her feel better when it was on. but by 3 months she did not feel she need it anymore. So I am an advocate of  garment wear. But check with your PS who is following you and did your surgery.

I usually have my patients wear the garment for at least 6 weeks after surgery.  I would recommend that you continue to use yours especially if you are getting active again.  It may also help to keep a lower salt diet and drink water.  Make sure your bowels are moving.  This should all resolve with more time and sounds normal to me.

This is very commonly seen. You may choose to wear the garment when you are up and about and wean yourself off it. Swelling is generally much better at 3 months.