Swelling in abdomen - I am all about a week away from my period. Could this be contributing to the significantly more swelling?

Dear shwoops77,Thank you for your question. Menstruation can be associated with bloating, which would contribute to a more swollen appearance. 4 weeks after a tummy tuck you can also see swelling if you are too active. I see that with my patients at 3-4 weeks, when they start feeling themselves again and become more active. This increased activity can cause a small amount of swelling which resolves. Hope this helps,Nirmal R. Nathan, M.D.Certified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Bloating before your period can certainly contribute to swelling, however it would probably be a good idea to see your surgeon just to make sure that it’s nothing more serious since you mentioned that it appeared suddenly.

If you have had a notable increase in swelling over the last three to four days it is important to visit with your surgeon. She/he can rule out complications such as seroma or other concerns. It may not be anything to worry about, but it's best to allow your surgeon to assess you and make that determination.