What is Causing Swelling After Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?

Question

I'm 22 days post  Tummy Tuck, muscle repair, and Liposuction, and having local swelling. Why am I only swollen above incision? What could have cause this? It's not seroma.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Swelling normally takes a few weeks to subside. On average, most of the swelling goes away after about 3 months, and depending on the extent of surgery, this may even take up to 6 months. A full tummy tuck will involve a lengthier recovery period than a mini. During these weeks and months, you'll notice the swelling gradually lessening.In the meantime, follow your surgeon's post-surgery care instructions and wear your compression garment as recommended. Your garment will help control swelling by encouraging your body to absorb and eliminate fluids that are causing the swelling. I don't recommend using ice packs since the area may be numb and you may get frostbite because of the lack of sensation.Here are some other tips to deal with swelling:stay well hydrated and go to the washroom regularlyavoid salty foods and eat healthilyget plenty of rest, but also try to move around a bit at a leisurely pace to keep your circulation going when you're not lying downOnce you have adequately recovered, you can consider lymphatic massage, but only with your surgeon's advice

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding the swelling you are experiencing after your tummy tuck, muscle repair, and liposuction. Swelling is a common part of the healing process following these procedures, and it can persist for several weeks or even months. The swelling you describe above your incision line could be due to several factors. One possibility is that the area above the incision is where the most extensive tissue manipulation and muscle repair occurred, causing more significant swelling in that region. Additionally, gravity can cause fluid to accumulate above the incision line. The body also responds to surgical trauma by sending fluids to the area to aid in healing, which can contribute to localized swelling.

It's good that your surgeon has ruled out a seroma, which is a collection of fluid that can sometimes form after surgery. Other causes of swelling can include normal postoperative inflammation and the body’s response to the surgical repair of the muscle. It's essential to follow your surgeon's postoperative care instructions closely, including wearing any recommended compression garments, as these can help manage swelling.

If the swelling persists or if you have concerns, it's always best to consult with your surgeon. They can provide specific guidance and ensure that your healing process is on track. Good luck with your recovery.

Sincerley,
Dr. Katzen

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Your swelling is a normal finding following abdominoplasty
surgery. The wound healing process following this procedure lasts for over a
year. Most of the swelling resolves in six to eight weeks, but small amounts of
swelling may persist for up to a year. The procedure inevitably interrupts the
abdominal lymphatic drainage and this takes time to re-establish itself.Patients
can minimize swelling with compression garments, massage and limitations on
activity level. It’s important to realize that swelling is a normal part of
wound healing and should resolve with time.

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

Swelling is normal after abdominoplasty and liposuction. Part of the swelling is due to the disconnection of the perforators from the abdominal muscles and the incision of the lower abdomen. Drainage that normally occurs from the abdominal wall can no longer reach the deeper drainage system directly and must travel up the abdominal wall to drain causing a delay and thus a fluid backup.

Ankit Desai, MD · Answer

This early in the recovery process some swelling is completely normal. It should continue to improve of the next few weeks. Compression garments can certainly help minimize the swelling, but you should watch for any areas of focal constriction that can make the swelling worse.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

This appears completely normal and you should have an excellent final result.
The lower abdominal swelling is completely normal and due to the interruption in the venous and lymphatic circulation drainging the infraumbilical panniculus.
It is primarily a combination of inflammatory changes and lymphedema. Give it time and trust your surgeon; discuss your concerns. Notify them sooner for any redness, fevers, chills, drainage, excessive pain, etc
Occasionally this can be made worse by tight elastic garments or waste bands (similar to what happens to swollen ankles resulting from tight stockings). Make sure this is not the problem.
Manual lymphatic drainage if approved by your surgeon may be beneficial to decrease the swelling.
I hope this is helpful

Gary Motykie, MD · Answer

Certain positions can cause
some discomfort.  Sit straight and try to
get up to move frequently, this will help with the swelling.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

If your lower abdomen was flat at first and now it is swollen this is normal.  As you get more active the fluid between the cells, called interstitial fluid tends to accumulate above the scar.  The scar works as a dam.  It takes about 3 months for the lymphatic vessels to re-form and properly drain this dependent edema.  Give it a chance and it will get better.  If in doubt discuss this with your plastic surgeon.

John J. Edney, MD · Answer

It may take up to 6-8 months to have all of the swelling resolve.  Very commonly the last swelling to leave is located in the tissues just above the horizontal incision.  Very likely this is due to the fact that the fluid causing the swelling moves downward to the lymph nodes in the groin region.  The tummy tech incision very often disrupts the channels leading to the groin nodes impeding the removal of fluid.  It may take several months or these channels to re-form and help carry away the fluid and help resolve the swelling.For a simple and illustrated explanation of tummy tuck and body contouring
procedures, watch my video.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  You are still very early during the recovery process and swelling will be present for quite some time.  It may help to wear the abdominal binder, I usually recommend that some sort of compression garment be worn for the first month or so.

	Keep in close communication with your surgeon so that he/she can help you through the healing process.

	I hope this helps.

What is Causing Swelling After Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?

Answers (12)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (12)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

How soon can you fly after tummy tuck?

NHS Coverage for Hernia Repair and Tummy Tuck?

Liposuction and Tummy Tuck While on Diet Pills?

How to Fix Folds of Skin from Tummy Tuck?

Tummy Tuck Sutures Possibly Torn?

Fresh Aloe on Tummy Tuck Wound?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS