Swelling after tummy tuck
Swelling after a tummy tuck varies significantly form person to person. some of the results shown on my gallery of 40+ patients are just weeks after surgery (see link below)And, even from surgeon to surgeon. Be prepared to wear loose fitting clothing for the first couple of weeks. The initial swelling is most significant. Some women notice a significant change immediately. Others continue to see significant changes over the first few weeks. I perform an “internal corset” procedure for many patients to cinch in their waist. I love to hear patients tell me how happy they are with the new waist contour.
The swelling after a tummy tuck resolves slowly over a three months. If you had liposuction at the same time it may be a bit longer recovery. The reason for this is that during a full tummy tuck the skin is lifted off of your muscle and the lymphatic drainage channels are disrupted. The only way for fluid to drain from the tissues is laterally. The more extensive your tummy tuck or the addition of other procedures such as liposuction the longer the swelling persists. The body heals slowly over a course of three months, six months and finally one year. The area above your tummy tuck scar will remain swollen the longest.
Swelling after abdominoplasty surgery
Tummy tuck surgery can leave you with swelling for months. I usually tell my patients that the majority of the swelling will subside within 1 month but can take up to 5 months to completely go away before you can really appreciate your “final results.” It is very normal to experience what you are describing and this should completely resolve. Just make sure you are still seeing your plastic surgeon regularly to evaluate and make sure you don’t have any fluid collections, or seromas (medical term), that can be contributing to your swelling.
I recommend my patients wear a binder or some form of compressive garment six weeks after surgery. The postoperative swelling takes about 6-8 weeks to resolve.
Swelling after abdominoplasty
This also depends on your compliance with compressive and activity level. It may take up to 3 months. Remember, healing is a process that takes time from any surgery.
I include liposuction with about 80% of tummy tucks that I perform. This allows more contouring of the flanks. Following a tummy tuck without liposuction, I would guess that mild swelling may last for 2-3months. If Liposuction is included, this may be extended to 6 months.
Depending on the extent of your tummy tuck and how much liposuction was done at the same time, you can expect your swelling to last anywhere from 3-6 months.
Swelling after tummy tuck operation
It will gradually improve, and you will find that you have “good days and bad days” with the swelling. Pay attention to the salt in your diet, as increased sodium will increase fluid retention and make your swelling worse.
Most patients will have significant swelling in the first two weeks but most of that will resolve after 6 weeks. The last 10% or so of the swelling, which is not really visible, will take about 6 months to resolve. At 6 weeks post-op, however, patients will have a very good idea of the final results and can resume almost all activities.
A tummy tuck is a fairly big operation, on a large surface area, so the swelling encompasses your whole mid-section for many weeks.
Swelling after tummy tuck surgery
But be a pateint patient, because the trade-off of getting rid of the loose skin and strecthc marks is worth it. Everyone is different, but I would anticipate the swelling to get a lot better in the next 4-6 weeks.
Swelling is a normal part of big surgeries like tummy tuck, liposuction, or body lift. In general, the longer and more involved the surgery, the more swelling.
Swelling varies widely from person to person, and in some cases may be under good control in a month. Others may take 6 months before it is gone, and still others will show evidence even a year later.
Swelling of scarafter tummy tuck
Swelling can be helped by wearing properly fitted garment, avoiding prolonged sitting, and watching your sodium intake. Understanding your “triggers” or the things that make it worse are also helpful.
I am a firm believer in lymphatic massage, because patients tell me it helps. So I include this as part of my surgery package.
Most PS will advise against heat or cold therapy (ice packs and heating pads) after tummy tuck because the skin is still numb, and you can damage your tissues significantly without even feeling it.
Swelling after a tummy tuck surgery usually takes 2-4 months to resolve. If you had liposuction as well it might take up to twice as long.
The swelling after abdominoplasty
Pressure garments can make patients more comfortable and help control the swelling a bit at least in my opinion. Different docs will vary on this recommendation however.
Tummy tuck swelling will improve every week over many months. By 6 weeks you will have achieved 75% of your final appearance.
By this time your result will look very nice and you should be able to go on holiday and be happy with your appearance. However the final final result will take a year. But until then you will look better every day.
Swelling can often feel like it is taking longer than it should to resolve. Remember, a tummy tuck is a rapid alteration in your body shape by way of an operation.
Simply put, body circulation and fluid shifting is rerouted in a way your body now has to accommodate. Some people adapt very quickly but most adapt very slowly.
The swelling after tummy tuck
It can seem like forever but it is not. As the months pass, swelling passes. I don’t tell my patients, it will take months. I tell them in terms of seasons which most can relate. In other words, if you have your surgery in the springtime, swelling should resolve to where it is not an issue by the fall or early winter next year.
The swelling after your tummy tuck should gradually improve over the first 2 month period after surgery. The area right above the scar will stay puffy for a longer time because of the scar tissue that forms. The skin above the incision needs sometime to establish a new lymphatic drainage system. The lymphatics are disrupted as part of the natural course of the TT.
Swelling after tummy tuck surgery abdominoplasty
Therefore, I recommend that at around a month out from surgery, when the skin has recovered, for the patient to use a body shaper garment.
Ultimately, around a years time the majority of the swelling should have resolved. Remember that everyone heals differently, and surgeons technique differs.
So, these are general guidelines, and each patients timeline will be different. Thank you for your question, and happy healing. Congrats on your new figure, I am sure you will be very happy at the end of your journey.
