What Can I Do to Get Rid of Swelling After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Half the swelling is gone one month after tummy tuck.  The other half takes a year. Things that help:  1.  Time. 2.  Comfortable compression. 3.  Decompressive Lymphatic Massage. Anything required? Time. 

It is very common to have residual swelling after a tummy tuck, especially if it was combined with liposuction. Wearing your compression garment the first month after surgery is very important. What most people see is that the the most dependent part of the abdomen will be swollen the longest, since gravity is trying to help you. I encourage my patients to massage the entire abdomen as well as any other areas that were liposuctioned. As you heal and increase your physical activity, you still may need to wear your compression garment intermittently. It will usually take 3 months to see your final result. Good luck!

That is a great question. First of all Swelling is a normal part
of healing from a tummy tuck and time and patience are the keys. It
is very important to wear the appropriate binder correctly for the entirety of
six weeks….at least that is what I recommend and strongly believe. It takes
approximately six weeks for the abdominal muscles and incisions to heal and
only then is it safe to slowly resume to normal activity. Wearing the binder
and refraining from any strenuous activity will control and reduce swelling but
ultimately you will see 90% improvement by 3 months. I hope this
information has helped.

Depending on the extent of the procedure, swelling can last up to 6-12 months. However most of the swelling generally subsides by 2-3 months. I have found a snug (not tight) abdominal binder and in some cases lymphatic massage can help speed up the swelling recovery process as well.

A tummy tuck is a major operation and selling does take time to go down. A good compression garment is helpful. I advice first stage garment which is usually a velcro type for first 6 weeks and followed by a second stage garment which is much softer and comfortable to wear. this should be worn for upto 20 hours a day for 4-6 months to get good results. In some patients swelling takes much longer to go down and in such cases few sessions of lymphatic massage helps with the swelling .

Thank you for your question. To reduce abdominal and belly button swelling, I recommend daily lymphatic drainage massage therapy 5 times at week for the next two months, and wear a postoperative girdle for two months at least.Kind Regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Thank you for your questions.  Continuing to wear your compression garments can definitely help with the swelling. In regards to the numbness, it does take a while for the nerve endings to all re connect, but you can do gentle massage in the area to help speed the process along.  I would recommend having a follow up with your surgeon and follow their post surgical protocol.   Best of luck to you. 

Beyond wearing your compression garment, lymphatic massage can be great for removing excess swelling. Unfortunately there is nothing that can make you heal faster, just make sure you are eating a healthy diet so your body has everything it needs to heal itself. The numbness usually resolves in a few months.

thank you for your question,
Its ımportant to wear your compressiıon garment at least 2 months and you can help to accelerate the healing process with lymphatic drainage massage to help empty lymphatics in the area of surgery that has retained lymph. It is a very superficial massage. Lymph is pushed through the lymphatics, and swelling decreases. be sure that your massage therapist be trained in lymphatic drainage.
good luck.

Great question! Lymphatic massage from a certified massage therapist that deals specifically with lymphatic techniques has been instrumental in my patients that take a little longer to heal.

Your doing a great job with the compression garments.  Compression garments will help resolve postop swelling much faster and I recommend using them for at least 8 weeks.  Another treatment I offer to my post-tummy tuck patients is endermologie treatments which will significantly help the swelling and help achieve your final result much faster.  Hope this helps!