Tummy Tuck - Swelling After 4 Weeks

After a full tummy tuck, it is normal to expect swelling in the area. the swelling takes time to settle down. Regular use of compression garment helps with swelling. in some cases when swelling is taking longer to settle down, few sessions of lymphatic massage might be of help. Please discuss this with your surgeon.

Like any surgery site you will develop swelling after a tummy tuck. Now remember that the area of surgery for a tummy tuck is extensive…..from the surgical scar all the way up the rib cage internally. So you have to expect an extensive area and degree of swelling involving the entire abdominal wall…including the pubic region and down into the groin.
This swelling is often quite dramatic between the scar line and belly button. Also, the pubic area can initially be very swollen, especially if liposuction was also performed here.
One of the reasons you are recommended to wear a pressure garment for the first 6 weeks is to control the swelling. This swelling gradually subsides but typically takes several months to fully settle.
Also, it can fluctuate with some days where you can look quite bloated whilst other days you’re looking trim.
Many people continue to wear the garment beyond 6 weeks as it tends to provide some control of this swelling. We also recommend you perform gentle daily massage to these areas starting a few weeks after surgery to help control the swelling and facilitate the settling process.

Thanks for your question. Healing after a tummy tuck is usually retty straight forward.  There is a process of swelling and bruising that peaks at 3 days after surgery and then undergoes the first stage of major resolution in the first 2 weeks after surgery.  The lateer phase of healing takes place over the 2-3 months after surgery where everything really settles and softens.  It is after this time that we are getting close to the final result, though this varies patient to patient.