Normal to Have Stomach Swelling After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Paula,
It is normal to have generalized swelling after surgery, especially for several weeks. However, what you are describing seems excessive. The area upper area could be full from swelling or it could be full from fluid collection. It is important that you see your surgeon so he or she can examine you to tell for sure. Even if you had drains placed after surgery, fluid may still collect after they are removed. If it is fluid, it can usually be removed in a simple office procedure. The other concerns are that the plication of your fascia was either 1) not done or 2) came apart.
The plication holds your abdominal muscles together to give your abdomen a flatter shape. Some surgeons chose not to do the plication since it may prolong recovery time. However, the plication is very important to achieve the final shape of the abdomen. Additionally, if you only had a "mini tummy tuck," then the tightness in the lower abdomen sometimes pushes out making the upper abdomen bulge out. You should talk to your surgeon to clarify these issues.
I hope this was helpful.

Dear Paula,

Thank you for reaching out with your concerns about your recent tummy tuck surgery. It's entirely normal to experience swelling following this type of procedure, especially in the early stages of recovery.

Swelling is a natural response of the body to trauma, and it's to be expected after surgery like a tummy tuck. The swelling typically peaks within the first few days to weeks after the procedure and gradually subsides over the following weeks and months.

In your case, it's not unusual to notice differences in swelling between the upper and lower abdomen. Swelling tends to accumulate in different areas depending on factors such as the extent of the surgery, individual anatomy, and fluid distribution.

The fact that you're experiencing fullness in the upper abdomen and flatness in the pubic region is likely due to the redistribution of fluids and swelling. As your body continues to heal, the swelling should gradually decrease, and you may notice a more balanced appearance over time.

It's important to follow your surgeon's post-operative instructions carefully, including wearing compression garments as recommended and avoiding strenuous activities that could exacerbate swelling. Additionally, keeping well-hydrated and maintaining a healthy diet can help support the healing process and reduce swelling.

However, if you have any concerns or if you notice any unusual symptoms such as excessive pain, redness, or drainage from the incision site, it's essential to contact your surgeon promptly for further evaluation.

In conclusion, experiencing swelling after a tummy tuck is entirely normal and part of the healing process. With time and proper care, you should see improvements in your abdominal contour as the swelling resolves.

Wishing you a smooth recovery and the best results from your tummy tuck surgery.

Sincerely,

Dr. Katzen
Plastic Surgeon

An upper
abdominal bulge following abdominoplasty can occur for a variety of
reasons.In someone who’s two weeks
post-op, swelling is the most likely cause of this bulge.In most cases, swelling resolves in six to
eight weeks, but small amounts of swelling may persist for up to a year.Patients can minimize swelling with
compression garments, massage and limitations on activity level.It’s important to remember that swelling is a
normal part of wound healing and should resolve with time.If this problem persists, structural
defects need to be considered as possible causes for this problem.These include abdominal wall hernias,
separation of the upper abdominal wall muscle repair, excess subcutaneous fat,
excess intra-abdominal fat, fat necrosis, over tightening of the lower
abdominal muscles and chronic seroma formation.Unfortunately, it’s not possible to
determine the cause of your upper abdominal bulge without a physical
examination.In some cases, additional
studies may be necessary to determine the exact cause of this problem.This may require a CT scan or possibly
ultrasound studies.Under these circumstances, it’s
appropriate to consult your plastic surgeon.Your surgeon can hopefully determine the cause and address the problem.