Still swollen and tummy not getting flat 6 months after tummy tuck - advice? (photos)

Question

I have done a tummy tuck 6 months and I’m not please

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

At 6 months, some swelling and firmness can still be present after a tummy tuck, but the abdomen should be gradually improving. In your photos, there appears to be residual lower abdominal fullness and side-view protrusion, but a photo cannot tell whether this is swelling, scar tissue, residual fat, muscle separation, a seroma, or skin laxity. Your operating surgeon should examine you because the cause determines the next step.

If there is pain, rapidly increasing swelling, drainage, redness, fever, or a new fluid-like bulge, you should be checked promptly. If everything is stable, many surgeons wait closer to 9 to 12 months before judging the final result or planning revision, because swelling and scar tissue can continue to soften over time.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding swelling six months after a tummy tuck. Swelling after a tummy or abdominoplasty can take some time before it goes down. Most swelling is gone within 6-8 weeks. However, if liposuction is combined during the tummy tuck or there are untoward complications like infections, seromas, hematomas, etc. Healing can be delayed. Swelling can take up to 2 years before it finally stabilizes if you are still swollen six months after your tummy tuck. I would suggest lymphatic massage, heat therapy, and continued compression. These three modalities will help to minimize the swelling. I hope this helps to answer your question regarding continued swelling six months after your tummy tuck.

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question about recovery from a tummy tuck and for including photos!

For specific questions like this and about your recovery in general, it is best to speak directly with your doctor or doctor’s representative – such as his or her nurse, or the physician on call for the practice.

You will likely get many differing opinions from members of the RealSelf Community, but they have not personally seen or examined you. Nobody should know you or your unique set of circumstances better than your doctor.

If you feel you are not being listened to or you are doubting your doctor’s recommendations, then it is certainly within your rights to seek a second opinion and get the advice from another board certified physician. This should be done through an in-person consultation with a thorough evaluation, including a review of your history, review of all prior treatment and with a physical examination.

Obviously, if you think that you are having a medical emergency or other serious problem, you should call 911 and/or go to your nearest emergency room.

Best Wishes.

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Some patients after having a tummy tuck need to have some additional liposuction done to help contour the mid section a bit more.  I would suggest speaking with your surgeon and following their recommendations.  Best of luck to you.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear marbelalieu,
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

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @marbelalieu, thank you for your question and showing you pictures. It is important to take into account several aspects among which is the surgical technique applied, and to evaluate if there is something else at a systemic level to make you still swollen. The best course of action is to consult one or several board certified plastic surgeon for more information and options tailored specifically to your needs. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD FACS

Nancy de Kleer, MD, FRCSC (Plast) · Answer

I agree, you do have a lot of swelling for 6 months after a tummy tuck. 
You can try lymphatic massage and see if that helps.
The swelling may persist, and you may want to have some liposuction in the area if it has not gone down to your satisfaction however I recommend you give it a full year after surgery before considering more surgery.
All the best to you.
Dr. Nancy de Kleer

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Though your tummy tuck results are not yet final, the swelling from your procedure should be almost resolved at this point.  Have you discussed your concerns with your surgeon?  If there is residual subcutaneous fat that liposuction may help.  If the culprit is visceral fat then weight loss should improve the results.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Though your posted photos are great, only in person or virtual consult can determine if the issues are excess fat/scar tissue/both/non repaired muscle ?? I offer in office ultrasound mapping @ $500. Best to virtual with... I think you maybe be an excess fat issue? that aggressive lipo with abdominal etching could greatly improve. Fee $8,000.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

At six months you were no longer swollen and your results are final. The only thing that’s going to change by waiting longer is the skin incision which will continue to mature for another year.
The number one reason patients have a bulging abdomen after a full tummy tuck is the presence of excess visceral fat which should be diagnosed and discussed during consultations before surgery.
This is remedied by weight loss and with the presence of excess visceral fat it’s not possible to get a flat abdomen without weight loss.
The lack of results is not related to the surgeons skill but rather the presence of visceral fat increasing the intra-abdominal volume.
A 5 or 10 pound weight loss will most likely be sufficient to see a substantial improvement.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Still swollen and tummy not getting flat 6 months after tummy tuck - advice? (photos)

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