The area above my incision is so hard and swollen will it go away? (photos)

Question

I had lipoabdominoplasty two weeks ago, my stomach looked like this from day one, had hard area above incision day one but has gotten harder and remained the same for two weeks. It is not fluid, not an infection. I know lipoabdominoplasty is not very common, is there a surgeon who is very familiar with it able to tell me if this is normal?

Sameer Karkhanis, MS, DNB · Answer

Hello! its just been 2 weeks post op and I would believe it is just swelling which would resolve over a period of 6-8 weeks. If you are sure it is not fluid (seroma) or infection, you don't have any reason to worry about.Consult your plastic surgeon and I am sure he will put all your doubts to rest. I would recommend MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) after 3-4 weeks of the TT. That will definitely help to ease your concerns regarding the hardness you are feeling. It would help in reducing the hardness and would making the abdomen soft and supple.All the best & wishing you a speedy recovery.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Your plastic surgeon will always be your best resource for accurate assessment, advice, and/or meaningful reassurance. Generally speaking, the vast majority of patients who have "hardness and swelling" above their incision lines after tummy tuck surgery will find that the area will soften up as the healing process continues. As you may know, this process may take several months (and even up to a year). On the other hand, a small percentage of patients will  experience a process called fat necrosis, which may also present as firmness/swelling. Again, most likely what you are experiencing is temporary; best to confirm with your plastic surgeon. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

My first suspicion is one you seem to exclude, and that is a fluid collection, a seroma. I am not sure how you know for certain that there is no fluid.It would be helpful to know if this looked like this just after surgery of this has progressed more recently. An actual exam is needed to determine whether this is swelling, seroma, or one of several other possibilities, so a visit to your surgeon will be the best source of reassurance.All the best.

M. Dean Vistnes, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

The lumpiness, swelling, itching and hardness after a surgery like you had typically persists several weeks after the surgery then slowly goes 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 6 months to see results. I tell my patients to be careful about salt intake as this can make swelling worse. Be sure to keep any scheduled follow up with your surgeon for his or her advise and evaluation. Dean Vistnes.

The area above my incision is so hard and swollen will it go away? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Post surgery swelling

Answer: Post surgery swelling

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

The area above my incision is so hard and swollen will it go away? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Post surgery swelling

Answer: Post surgery swelling

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.