Painful weeks later after fleur de lis tummy tuck with some tightness; too much skin removed? (Photos)

Most patients will be
placed in an abdominal binder, which they will wear the first week. There is
usually a fair amount of swelling and the binder should be opened  several times a day so that there are no
pressure points. After the first 7 to 10 days the patient is placed in an
elastic garment for compression over the next six weeks.

Swelling can persist for
several months and will gradually improve and will look better at three months,
six months, and even one year. Frequently the pubic area and the scrotal and
penis area for men can become very swollen and discolored during the first two
weeks due to gravity as this is the lowest area for swelling to accumulate.
It may take several
months for a tummy tuck patient’s scars to soften, for sensation to return, and
for relaxing of the tight sensation in the abdomen. In the case of extensive
surgery, abdominoplasty recovery can be uncomfortable and may take longer. Scars
may stay red, become thick or widen . It can take 12-18 months for the scars to
settle.

These can be improved
with topical treatments such as BioCorneum, Scar Guard , Scar Fade and Mederma.
Redness can be improved with laser treatments and the scars can be kept narrow
with products such as Embrace.  On
occasion, keloids or hypertrophic scars can develop and will need treatment
including Kenalog, 5FU and laser.