Swelling After Tummy Tuck
Most patients only experience swelling for a few months after surgery. In some instances patients can see mild swelling up to 6 month – 1 year after surgery, but this is typically very minor. The condition described sounds to be either a seroma (a collection of fluid underneath the skin) or a hernia. You will need to see your doctor for a more complete analysis.
You can determine if you have a seroma by ultrasound. Once determined you can visit your board certified plastic surgeon to have it drained. You will need to have a CT Scan or MRI to determine whether or not it is a hernia. If so, this is fixed through additional surgery. (Tarick K. Smaili, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)
Swelling after a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
By one year most of the swelling should have resolved. Occasionally someone will have some mild swelling. If you have significant swelling in the abdominal area, doctors should evaluate for some other issues such as fluid accumulation under the tissue.
Generally for about 6 months to a year the swelling will resolve. (Usha Rajagopal, MD, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon)
Swelling 1 year after tummy tuck
After a tummy tuck procedure, patients should anticipate a recovery process. This usually consists of swelling and minimal bruising that he last from one to two months. However, in our practice we always perform liposuction with every tummy tuck.
For this reason, patients can expect swelling to persist for up to 6 to 8 months after the surgery. If you continue to have swelling a year after surgery, make sure that you’re working with a board-certified plastic surgeon as they will want to assess this area and determine whether this is swelling, a reaction to sutures or other material that was used, a small pocket of fat, or a bulge created by loosening of suture.
To learn more about tummy tucks, see photos, and help you decide which one is best for you, please visit us at the link below. (Pat Pazmino, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)
Focal swelling after a tummy tuck
You describe a focal region of swelling and pain one year after a TT, and this varies with time of day, body position etc. This sounds like a seroma, which is a fluid collection between the abdominal soft tissues and the muscles of the abdominal wall.
A abdominal ultrasound is a good place to start when trying to diagnose seromas. On the other hand, I have seen body lift patients that have persistant edema of the abdominal flap and mons region many months post-op. This regional edema is probably related to disruption of lymphatic vessels during these circumferential procedures. This problem resolves spontaneously, but sometimes very slowly. Get a second opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon if you feel your questions are not being answered by your first surgeon. (Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy Tuck swelling
It is very unusual to have the swelling and the pain after one year from your Tummy Tuck. There is something else. It could be:
- Seroma, can be diagnosed with sonogram
- Loss of integrity of the abdominal wall, as in Hernia.
Need an MRI odf the abdominal wall. See a Board Certified PS who is willing to work this with you and treat. (Samir Shureih, MD, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)