Tummy Tuck Swelling 1 year Post?

You haven't stated your age but I have had a few patients over 50 that have had bloating and swelling for years!!! But I know that can be an issue for women in general so I have never been able to tell if it was because of the TT or just that it is easier to notice know that the tummy is flat...But yes, I have seen it...

Swelling one year after abdominoplasty /(remaining bulky tummy)

Usually, visible postoperative edema is resolved after one year. 

Possible causes: Seroma, Hernia, other possibility: Lymph edema, 
or even fat tissue . I suggest  an ABDOMINAL WALL ULTRASOUND and that you return to your plastic surgeon for followup but also consult with your primary doctor. 

It would be extremely unusual to have swelling that long after an abdominoplasty. If you had sutures tear/break early on this could cause bulging, but it should have been present earlier. I suggest you see your surgeon again. A CT scan might be helpful to delineate cause or rule out seroma or hernia.

Good luck.

Gregory A. Sexton, M.D.

Columbia, S.C.

It's always more helpful to have photos but just based on your description it's still unusual to have significant swelling 1 year after surgery. You need to go back to the surgeon and look for the reason why it's intermittently swollen. Do you have a fluid collect (seroma)? Do you still have some residual fat?  Do you have a weakened muscle or broken muscle repair? Do you have a hernia? Your surgeon should be able to sort it out for you.

Best Wishes,

Stewart Wang, MD FACS, Wang Plastic Surgery

It is not unusual to have swelling from a tummy tuck for at least 6 months.  The healing process can last up to a year and it is possible to still see some swelling after 6 months.  It sounds like the swelling you are describing is different since it comes and goes.  You should see your plastic surgeon.

Good Luck