Sudden increasing swelling at week 4 tummy tuck and lipo

Question

Why am I more swollen at week 4 and what are those hard lumps that appear and go on my sides of the stomach. Could it be my garment not fitting well? I have binders on 24 7

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello noha85 Softening and fading of the surgical scars, return of sensation may take several months up to a year or longer. Your abdomen will feel tight for a month or longer. If you have had a
	 muscle repair as well (the usual case), you will feel the most tightness
	 down the center of your tummy where your surgeon repaired the muscles. Abdominoplasty recovery can be uncomfortable and may take   longer. You should visit o contact your PS about this concern. #swelling #post-op

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear noha85,swelling after tummy tuck and liposuction can last for months and it is not unusual that it changes in intensity. Regarding the lumps, it is hard to tell without an examination. I would suggest you to consult your plastic surgeon and get a formal examination.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Sohail Akhtar, MBChB, FRCS(plast) · Answer

Following tummy tuck and particularly if combined with liposuction I find that you look at your best in the first 1 day after the procedure and then the skin and fat swelling from the operation along with abdominal bloating ( side effect of from the pain killers) make the benefits a lot less obvious. The swelling is at it's worse at about 4 to 6 weeks post surgery and then gradually subsides unto 6 months post operative. At this stage you're really see the benefits of surgery. By the way this can be longer if liposuction is also performed.
Do however keep in touch with your plastic surgeon as seroma ( fluid build up ) can also occur in the first four weeks post op which can sometimes benefit from drainage in the clinic. 
It's difficult to know regarding the hard lumps you mention, they may be related to the liposuction but I would recommend an examination by your plastic surgeon in this respect

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

but at 4 weeks out, I would expect them to be improving on a daily basis.  Photos would have helped immensely so we could better appreciate your concerns but realize swelling in the midline and epigastrium is very common and often requires office revisions to further flatten as the prominent is not from swelling but from excess skin and fat.  If your swelling is progressive and worsening, you must see your surgeon for an evaluation and management.

Sudden increasing swelling at week 4 tummy tuck and lipo

Answers (4)

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