Above Tummy Tuck Incision Line. Swelling? Fluid? Sponge Like Fluid? I'm Confused.

At only two weeks post op the most likely cause of fullness in the area you describe after tummy tuck is fluid. The other potential cause is fat. Fluid can be pooled in the space between the muscle layer and the skin and fat layer, or it can also be present within the tissues. I think this is what your surgeon refers to as a sponge effect. Swelling is simply that:  fluid distributed within the tissues. It may take several months for swelling to completely resolve, so you and your surgeon need to be patient.

Hello,

Thank you for your question.  It sounds like you have accumulated a seroma (collection of helaing fluid) just above the incision line which is the most common place for it.  If the amount of fluid is dispersed over a larger area it can be a fairly thin layer of fluid and therefore can be difficult to successfully drain the fluid with a needle since the needle must be directly into the thin layer of accumulated fluid.  Sometimes leaning forward a bit a pressing on the sides will allow the fluid to pool in the center and can make draining it easier.  You may have to do this several times and wear the abdominal binder fairly snug to get the two layers of tissue to heal together and prevent the fluid from accumulating.  

Hope this helps

All the best,

 

Dr. Repta

Phoenix/Scottsdale plastic surgery