I tell my patients that the scar maturation process can last as long as a year after surgery. that being said, most swelling is gone in a few weeks in the majority of patients. three weeks is very early in the process and unless it represents an actual collection of fluid (seroma), you should not be overly concerned and just need to be patient as you heal.
I agree with the other surgeon. It takes about one month for 50% resolution of the edema (swelling), about three months for 80%, and about one year for the final result.
How long this swelling from tummy technique surgery last well it depends, but if you had liposuction done in addition to the tummy tuck and will last longer however you can pretty much estimate that by the end of three months the majority of the swelling has subsided.
When a tummy tuck is performed the skin and fat are “peeled away” from the underlying muscles to allow exposure for muscle repair and to fully expand the skin for maximal removal. This requires that the normal blood flow is “detached” which diverts the circulation and results in prolonged swelling. Little by little over time the remaining blood vessels expand and new pathways for circulation
develop which causes the swelling to subside. This is a slow process. The swelling from this type of surgery takes months to be minimally noticeable and can take over a year (sometimes 2) to resolve. Most of my patients discontinue their compression binder at 6 weeks. Nonetheless, I see some continue to wear theirs for up to 3 months before they feel that the remaining swelling is minimal enough to comfortable discontinue it permanently.
The obvious swelling after a tummy tuck may last about a month or so. However, it may take closer to three months or longer for all of the swelling to resolve- especially if you had liposuction performed at the same time of the love handle area. You should see results fairly soon after your surgery, however your final outcome could take around three months.
- Don’t pick your doctor by the one who says the swelling will be the shortest. You will be disappointed.
- I follow the 80/20 curve rule. 80% of the swelling will go down in the first 2 weeks; then the last bit (20%) take about 8 weeks.
- Swelling is caused by the division of the lymphatic channels (the tissues plumbing system). These channels simply take time to reconnect.
- Make sure your doctor has some happy patients that can tell you about their experience when it came to their post-op time.
- Your doctor should keep track of your weight to document swelling loss.
There are maneuvers which can improve and minimize swelling after a tummy tuck.
Pictures swelling after tummy tuck
The questioner had her surgery 3 weeks earlier, and has generally experienced the peak of the post operative swelling or edema. However the changes beyond that point will be more gradual. Swelling in the layers above the umbilicus should be mostly gone, below that partially gone. Swelling just along the incision area will last a few months as healing continues.
You will notice the areas becoming softer, more pliable and mobile like un-operated tissue layers. You will also notice pink incision scars fading and sensation returning.
Discuss your changes with your plastic surgeon during your follow-up visits and I’m sure the staff would be happy to discuss changes over the phone as well.
Most patients who undergo abdominoplasty are restricted for 6 weeks and are asked to wear a binder as much as possible for the 6 week period. A 25 pound weight restriction also helps to keep your swelling down. By 6 weeks more than 80% of the swelling should be resolved. If you’re having some additional swelling you may want to ask your surgeon if you have any fluid collections in or under your
skin flap. If a woman combines abdominoplasty with liposuction then she will have a similar amount of swelling in the first 2 weeks, which usually resolves by 80% by 6 weeks. Usually during the same recovery period she will enjoy a tremendous improvement the thickness of her upper abdomen by combining Vaser with the tummy tuck. I recommend massage therapy to reduce the swelling starting at about 7- 10 days post-op. It really helps to desensitize the surgical area, and resolve the swelling.
When you decide to have a tummy tuck because of extra sagging tummy skin after pregnancy or weight loss, you will have to be committed to a recovery protocol. The very large swelling can last 6-12 weeks and the swelling continues to decrease over the next 3-12 months. The key is to have a diet and exercise program in place before surgery so that you can continue to follow it forever, modifying it as the weeks after surgery pass.
A majority of the swelling is gone at about 3 months post-op. The swelling can continue to improve for up to 1 year.
The swelling after tummy tuck surgery or abdominoplasty is variable. In most cases the majority of the swelling has resolved within 3-4 months.There can be some persistent swelling in the lower abdomen above the scar for up to one year post-operatively.
This swelling can last up to 3 months but is generally almost gone by 4-6 weeks.
I usually tell my patients to wait until 3-4 months to see the final result from their tummy tuck. Swelling to the lower abdomen and Mons Pubis region is the last to go. I have my patients wear a compression garment for at least 6 weeks post operatively.
A lot of the swelling usually resolves by 6-8 weeks, but it can sometimes take a full six months for the swelling to fully resolve. Generally swelling in a heavier patient will take a bit longer to resolve than in a thin person.