As you heal, this fluid will gradually subside and go away on its own over time. The amount of swelling will vary depending on how much tissue was removed, how long you were under anesthesia, and whether or not you have any other underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to your swelling. If your swelling is more severe than usual, you should contact your surgeon immediately so they can assess your situation and determine if further treatment is necessary.
Swelling after a tummy tuck can be uncomfortable, but it’s a normal part of the healing process. The swelling that occurs after surgery is caused by fluid accumulating around the site of injury. This happens when your body tries to repair itself from the trauma of surgery.
Read on to learn more on Extreme Swelling After Tummy Tuck, Stages Of Swelling After Tummy Tuck and Lower Abdominal Swelling After Tummy Tuck
Extreme Swelling After Tummy Tuck
Swelling is a normal side effect after a tummy tuck, no matter which incision type you have. Just like many other side effects, swelling will vary based on your individual immune system and healing process.
Swelling is temporary and will go away with time. Adhering to Dr. Small’s aftercare instructions following your tummy tuck in Long Island will help swelling go down. Infection or other complications can cause swelling to persist and prolong the recovery period. Controlling swelling will promote healing and help you see results faster.
Why Do Our Bodies Swell After A Tummy Tuck?
Once surgery is complete, your body sends white blood cells and other healing compounds to the surgery site to jumpstart the recovery process. Increased fluids will cause the area to grow larger during the initial stages of healing. Swelling is a completely normal response to an injury, which is why most swelling will be located near the incision site. A compression garment will be provided, which reduces swelling and yields better results.
Things To Avoid After Your Long Island Tummy Tuck
Being patient and letting your body heal will be the key to resolving swelling. Rushing your healing process or overexerting yourself can cause swelling to persist. Do not touch your stitches or the incision because your hands can introduce bacteria to the area and cause an infection.
Avoid activities that utilize your abdominal muscles in particular. Especially when your muscles are pulled tight during the procedure, the muscles need time to heal before being engaged.
Most importantly, listen carefully to all aftercare instructions. Dr. Small provides individualized instructions based on your medical history, current stage of healing, and other factors.
Ways To Decrease Swelling
Strenuous exercise and excessive movement will negatively impact your recovery. It is a good idea to go shopping before your surgery to ensure that you have everything you need during the initial stages of healing while your movement is limited. Buy food, water, and anything else you might want while you relax and heal at home.
Some tips for minimizing swelling include:
- Stay hydrated
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Refrain from smoking
- Avoid foods with a lot of sodium
- Keep the area clean
If you try reintroducing an activity and you experience pain or discomfort, stop and try again at another time. Listen to your body and don’t rush your recovery.
How Long Will I Need Compression Garments?
Patients typically wear a compression garment for about five to six weeks after their procedure. At first, the garment should be worn at all times, and Dr. Small will let you know when you can start taking it off or only wearing it for part of the day, and when you can stop wearing it altogether.
When Will My Swelling Go Down?
The majority of swelling resolves after approximately two months. About 80% of the swelling should subside, but many patients have minor swelling that can persist up to one year after surgery. At the two-month mark you will have a good idea of what your final results will look like and you will be able to resume most activities. Your follow-up visits will become less frequent, although Dr. Small is always willing to answer questions in between office visits.
Stages Of Swelling After Tummy Tuck
Swelling is a common side effect of any surgery and it can be a little hard to predict how much swelling will occur. The amount of swelling you experience depends on many factors. These include the type of anesthesia used, the number of procedures performed, your overall health and your activity level during recovery.
Your body will naturally produce fluid to help repair tissues after surgery. This fluid collects in your tissues causing swelling. Swelling usually begins 24 hours after surgery and peaks at 48 to 72 hours. It may take weeks for the swelling to completely go down.
After a tummy tuck, it is normal to have swelling around your incision site (which can last up to three months), as well as swelling below your tummy button and around the umbilicus (belly button) (which may last longer). You may also notice swelling in other areas such as the chest or underarms. This is normal and will subside over time.
If you have severe or persistent swelling after surgery, contact your doctor immediately so they can determine if there is an underlying cause for this condition
The swelling is the body’s normal response to surgery. It is caused by the trauma of surgery and the pressure from the internal tissues being moved around during surgery. The swelling will subside over time, but it can take up to 6 weeks for all of the swelling to completely dissipate.
Stage 1 – Immediately after surgery, you will be swollen and bruised. You may have difficulty walking or moving your arms and legs because of this.
Stage 2 – In a few days, your bruises will get worse as they start to turn blue and green or purple in color (depending on what type of bruising you had). This stage is also known as “honeymoon period” because there is no pain associated with it at all! You may feel tired at this point because of all the activity going on inside your body but overall you should feel pretty good!
Stage 3 – After this period, most patients begin to see some progress towards their final result. Some patients are able to return to work after only two weeks while others need more time before they can go back to work full time again or even part time depending on how much activity is required for their job position. Many patients also have a little bit more swelling than normal at this stage which can be
Lower Abdominal Swelling After Tummy Tuck
I just want to know, how many days do you have to wait before you can see your results after tummy tuck? I had my surgery on the 7th of November and the swelling is still there. I’m really afraid that I’m going to get a big belly again, but I don’t think it’s normal to still have swelling after almost two weeks.
I’m not in pain at all but I feel like I have a lot of fluid in my stomach and it doesn’t go away no matter what they say. They said that it will go away after three weeks but it’s been almost two weeks since my surgery and nothing changed.
I know that this is a stupid question but I’m just so worried about this situation. Can anyone help me with this?