Swelling very bad when I don't wear compression garment, 7 weeks post op tummy tuck. Is this normal?

Hello, it is not uncommon to experience intermittent swelling after the binder is discontinued.  If the swelling is severe, perhaps it will be necessary to wear some type of compression (like spanx) as a transition from the binder to nothing at all.  I would recommend discussing this with your surgeon.

Everyone is different in how they heal, and as plastic surgeons we give instructions and advice on "averages".  I ask my average patient to wear a compression garment for up to 6 weeks after tummy tuck surgery.  However, you also had liposuction which will contribute to the swelling and could last for months after surgery.  If you swell, then listen to your body and continue the compression garment.  Spanx might be a more comfortable alternative but check with your plastic surgeon regarding his/her advice.  Best of luck with your recovery!

Talk to your plastic surgeon so that he/she can examine and advise you more appropropriately to rule out more serious causes. However, you are still early in your recovery phase and swelling can take months to truly resolve. It is a common complaint for patients that undergo tummy tucks to feel swollen immediately after removing the garment and once they go back to work. A few things that may help: 1. make sure your garment is still giving you the appropriate compression. If too loose, it's not helping. If its too tight, your legs will swell.2. decrease yout salt intake. Drink plenty of water. That helps alot with the swelling. Many times patients drink less water thinking it will make the swelling resolve. The opposite is true. 3. Change positions frequently. If you are in a chair/desk position most of the time. Make sure you are getting up and walking around frequently to help with circulation. 4. Eat high fiber fruits and veggies to help with constipation and bloating which can also make you feel even more uncomfortable and "tight" in a compression garment.

Hi
there, thanks for your question about swelling after your tummy tuck. With
questions about recent plastic surgery procedures, I strongly encourage patients
to discuss with the providers who performed their procedure. He or she
best knows you and the procedure they performed and it could be a good idea to
also have them evaluate for a possible seroma. Best of luck to you.
-Dr. Coan.

Swelling is common and can take 4-6 months to settle down.  If you feel swollen, then wear the garment.

As always, it is best to be seen in person ( by your plastic surgeon) for precise diagnosis and treatment.Generally, abdominal wall "swelling" after tummy tuck may be related to:
1. Swelling in the soft tissues. This may take several months to resolve and may worsen with increased activity or at the end of the day. Patience is required to allow for resolution of the swelling. The swelling occurs because of the interruption of venous and lymphatic channels that occurs during the tummy tuck operation.
2. Fluid accumulation in the space between the skin and the abdominal wall muscle. this may consist of blood ( hematoma) or serum (seroma). This fluid accumulation can generally be diagnosed by physical examination ( occasionally ultrasound may be helpful). Treatment consists of aspiration; several episodes of aspiration may be necessary.
3. Separation of the abdominal wall muscle repair may lead to a swelling/bulge appearance. This may be diagnosed on physical examination with your surgeon examining you in different bodily positions. One of the steps of a tummy tuck procedure involves reapproximation (plication) of the rectus muscles. These muscles have spread apart during pregnancy and/or weight gain. Bringing them together again in the midline helps to “tighten” the abdominal wall as well as to narrow the waistline.
4. Residual adipose tissue may be confused for swelling. Again this is most easily diagnosed by physical examination. Additional liposuction surgery maybe necessary to improve the results of surgery.
Generally, it takes many months for swelling to resolve after tummy tuck surgery and it may take up to one year (or greater) a complete skin redraping to occur.
I hope this helps.

Some patients may note swelling post tummy tuck that can take up to 3 moths to resolve.  In most cases this should improve over time.  Wearing a cotton undershirt and cotton panties under the garment can help make the compression garment more comfortable and cooler to wear.  Check with your surgeon to make certain you aren't having a probable with a seroma, or fluid collection, which may contribute to the sense of swelling.  Best wishes, Dr Lepore.