Abdominal swelling after tummy tuck
Sources of asymmetric fullness after a tummy tuck
There are several potential sources of asymmetric fullness after a tummy tuck including: excess fat, swelling, asymmetric muscle tightening, asymmetric skin closure, hematoma, and seroma after tummy tuck.
I do not see any bruising and the area in question is an uncommon area for hematoma or seroma. I would continue to wear your abdominal binder tightly and see if things change.
Asymmetric closure and swelling will tend to resolve. Excess fat may not and may benefit from liposuction down the road. (Remus Repta, MD, Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon)
Eary Tummy Tuck results.
Abdominal swelling after tummy tuck image
On your pic, you do have asymmetry. It is too early to say if this is permanent however. It is not likely a muscle issue, it is more likely a fat issue.
If there is a larger/thicker fat pad on your right side that does not resolve, lipo will treat it easily. Swelling and fluid collections are also possible contributors. Communicate with your PS your concerns again. (Scott E. Kasden, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)
Too early to comment on swelling
Abdominal swelling after tummy tuck picture
I don’t think I can clearly visualize your concern from the photo submitted, but there can be more swelling on one side of the abdomen due to binder placement or how you have been sitting etc.
It takes about 3 to 6 weeks for tissue edema to begin to subside. Your best option is to wait and discuss these issues with your plastic surgeon. It is not likely to be a problem. (Dev Wali, MD, Claremont Plastic Surgeon)
The muscle repair should not cause this. I use a drain on every patient. Fluid can be trapped and the positioning of the binder can contribute to this.
Abdominal swelling after tummy tuck photo
This is very early after surgery so I don’t know why this is happening. (Robert Whitfield, MD, FACS, Austin Plastic Surgeon)
If you can touch the larger side and you see a fluid wave, you have a fluid collection that needs to be drained. This could very well be asymmetric swelling due to positioning, binder position, etc. At this early date, your plastic surgeon is a great resource, and his exam is much better than speculation on my part. (Kenneth B. Hughes, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)
Abdominal swelling after tummy tuck operation
Early post op swelling can bein very distorting. I see this very often. Try and be patient and listen to you plastic surgeon. It would be different if it was a few months. (Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon)
I do see more fullness in the flank on the right side. It is hard to comment further without seeing a comparable pre-op photo. From the looks of the dressing, the flanks are well beyond what would have been addressed by the TT, but in the range of the liposuction-treated areas. If this area is indeed different than it was before surgery, it may have to do with the amount of fat suctioned, but not with the suturing of the tummy tuck. It is possible that this is swelling and will resolve. I have seen, for example, an appearance like this in a patient who slept on her side with the “full” side down, and who after the swelling resolved looked even. The swelling after liposuction can be more than most patients expect. I tell mine to expect to be bigger at the one week visit that they were the day before surgery. (Jourdan Gottlieb, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
Fullness after tummy tuck may be seroma.
It does look a little worrisome. You may have some fluid on your left. A sonogram will tell you whether it is just swelling. (George J. Beraka, MD (retired), Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)
