My stomach is extremely swollen and underneath my tummy tuck incision it's hard. Is this normal? (Photo)

Question

I am 2 weeks 4 days post op from a tummy tuck with a little bit of lipo . The area under my incision in very hard and I have a lot of swelling. I still cannot walk up straight and it hurts my back. Also I don't know if I have fluid that needs to be removed or not because there is no seroma "wave" but it is slightly squishy. Also will coughing while holding my stomach damage my muscle repair? Can someone please give me advice and help to put me at ease and tell me if I look normal, Thank you.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

It is perfectly normal to have numbness or swelling after a tummy tuck which is expected to slowly have sensation return to normal after many months and even years following your surgery. Although uncommon, permanent numbness and tingling can occur after tummy tuck surgery, especially in the lower mid line area between the scar and belly button. In most cases there is some sensation present, just not the normal pre-surgical amount. Please speak with your plastic surgeon about your concerns. #tummytucknumbness #tummytuckpost-op

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hello, some swelling and firmness of the abdomen is not necessarily abnormal at your stage of healing but I would recommend discussing your concerns with your plastic surgeon.  You will need ongoing followup to ensure that you are healing normally.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your photos and question. Swelling and a hard feeling incision at this point are to be expected as you are quite early in recovery. I recommend that you call your Plastic Surgeon to ask about compression, activity level, any new swelling that concerns you and issues with standing straight because they will have case specific advice for you and be able to put your mind at ease.All the best

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question and sharing your photos.  Swelling are firmness are all expected at this stage of your recovery.  It is important to for you to follow-up closely with your plastic surgeon who can best determine if you have a seroma or not.  In addition, I would recommend starting to straighten up as the longer you wait, the stiffer you may get.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions and photographs.  At just under three weeks since surgery, it is not uncommon to still have a significant amount of swelling, as your body temporarily holds on to extra water.  From your narrative, it sounds that you do not have a seroma or other discreet fluid collection that would need to be addressed, so over the next several weeks you should see this swelling gradually resolve, and your outcome improve.As far as coughing, I would recommend you brace your stomach with a pillow or folded up blanket to try and minimize the effects of sneezing or coughing, though it is unlikely to cause any damage to your muscle repair.  Hang in there, it looks like you will have a nice result, and give your results a few months to fully mature.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the tummy tuck procedure.  Swelling after tummy tuck surgery is quite common; swelling may persist for many months and even up to one year after the procedure is performed. Often, patients will report that the swelling increases as their activity level increases and gets worse later on in the day. Sometimes, the use of compressive garments may be helpful to control the edema.

I would suggest that you continue close follow up with your plastic surgeon, who will be in the best position to assess your situation and provide you with specific recommendations. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be pleased with long-term care.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, mojave2013. After tummy tuck, it is normal to be swollen.  Most of the swelling will go down by 6 weeks; however, the overall result of the tummy tuck may take up to 6 months.  It is also common to have swelling/firness under the scar.  When you are cleared by your plastic surgeon, you can begin scar massage with scar cream.  In regards to seroma, I cannot evaluate you without examining you in-person.  Please follow up with your plastic surgeon. Good luck with your recovery.

Pedro M. Soler, Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and the photographs. What you have described can be normal at this point since you are in the early phase of healing.  During the initial phase after surgery, within the first three months, there is a period of inflammation and scarring that must occur in order for you to heal. It is during this time that you will appear swollen, lumpy/bumpy, etc. So it is not unusual at this stage to experience discomfort and swelling especially if one has any increase in their activity level. The swelling will often appear greatest in the pubic region as the post operative edema (tissue fluid) tends to settle there due to gravity. Over ensuing months these processes will subside and the inflammatory process gives way to scar softening and remodeling. It is during this time, as the soft tissues begin to accommodate, that you will start to see your results appear and these symptoms begin to abate. Therefore it is not possible to answer your question without an in-person examination.What you are describing is most likely self limiting, however I would recommend close follow up with your plastic surgeon as they are in the best position to evaluate and treat you in the post operative period. This will allow you and your surgeon the chance to further discuss your concerns and help allay any anxieties you may be experiencing.I hope this helps. Best wishes.

M. Dean Vistnes, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

The tightness, swelling, numbness, itching and hardness after a surgery like you had typically persists a minimum of 8 weeks after the surgery then slowly begins to away. In my experience, daily massage of the hard areas makes the biggest difference in getting rid of it sooner rather than later. It can easily take 4-6 months to see results. Your scars will also flatten and fade but usually takes 9-12 months. Be sure to keep any scheduled follow up appointments you have with your surgeons for his evaluation and advice. You appear to be healing well so far. Hope this helps. Dean Vistnes.

My stomach is extremely swollen and underneath my tummy tuck incision it's hard. Is this normal? (Photo)

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