Tummy Tuck Side Effects

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Some side effects are to be expected following abdominoplasty surgery. While these unpleasant symptoms may cause some discomfort, they are not considered complications. Some of these side effects are triggered by your body’s own immune system to augment the abdominoplasty healing process. The most common tummy tuck side effects include swelling and pain. Your surgeon will explain in detail the side effects you should expect after tummy tuck surgery. Tummy tuck healing problems do not occur often, but you should contact your doctor right away if you experience a sudden increase in the severity of your discomfort, or any side effects that were not discussed prior to surgery.

Tummy Tuck Swelling

A tummy tuck procedure is not a simple cosmetic treatment; it is a major surgery. It is normal for a patient to experience some uncomfortable side effects after an abdominoplasty procedure. Tummy tuck swelling is to be expected in the days following your abdominoplasty. The degree of swelling depends on the type of procedure that was performed and on your unique characteristics as a patient. Your cosmetic surgeon will give you guidelines on how to minimize post-tummy tuck swelling. A compression garment or abdominal binder will help keep tummy tuck swelling under control, as will a regimen of gentle movement (to improve your circulation and help the healing process along).

Your abdominoplasty results, including a flatter, smoother abdomen, will become more obvious as tummy tuck swelling decreases. Talk to a qualified cosmetic surgeon to discuss your concerns about tummy tuck swelling.

Tummy Tuck Pain

One of the more common but manageable tummy tuck problems is post-operative pain. Your cosmetic surgeon can prescribe pain medication if you need it. When you wake up from the anesthesia, your abdomen may be swollen and painful; if you’ve undergone the surgery as an outpatient, you should be sure to take your pain medications as instructed rather than waiting until the pain sets in. Over time, the tummy tuck swelling and pain will lessen and eventually disappear. The rare complications of tummy tuck procedures include conditions that are often signaled by increased pain, so be sure to contact your surgeon if your pain level starts to escalate. Also, be sure to contact your surgeon if the pain does not lessen within six weeks of your tummy tuck surgery. Problems can occur if your incision is healing too slowly.

Tummy Tuck Bruising

In addition to abdominoplasty swelling and pain, it is common for patients to experience bruising in the treatment area. The bruising usually fade within two weeks of surgery.

More serious risks of tummy tuck surgery, including infection and blood clots can occur. Talk to your doctor about the possible complications of surgery, and contact your surgeon immediately if serious signs develop after surgery.

Visit the DocShop gallery to view abdominoplasty before and after photos.

Photo credit: Pacific Plastic Surgery

Talk to a Surgeon

Managing the side effects of an abdominoplasty procedure is easier when the patient has the assistance of an experienced and trustworthy cosmetic surgeon. All of the cosmetic surgeons who are part of the extensive DocShop online directory are highly skilled, experienced physicians who will be glad to discuss your concerns about the potential side effects of a tummy tuck, including swelling, scars, and pain. Use DocShop to find such a surgeon in your area now.

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Keyword Tags: tummy tuck, plastic surgery, liposuction

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Comments

1

I had tt and breast reduction 4 weeks ago, I'm 52. Still have my
drains, still have pain and lots of swelling. One drain got infected
so made it worst, had to go back in hospital iv antibotics. Thought I would be back to work in 5 weeks now it is going to be longer.

louise
about 1 year ago

2

I had a tummy tuck and hysterectomy 4 months ago and am still swollen and uncomfortable. Has anyone else experienced this at 4 months. I feel like the swelling has hardly gone down since surgery.

Karin
about 1 year ago

3

I got a tummy tuck after losing 80 lbs. I am a 52 yr old male(a lot of friends said"why bother").About 10 days later I returned to work and noticed a slight numbing in the front half of my feet. Doing some research on the net, I read that this was normal and may last as long as 1 year. a few weeks later, I noticed the numbness was getting worse and took over completely both feet and started up my ankles.A week later the numbness moved to my hands,and is getting worse as I write this on Nov28,2011.If I was aware that this might happen back on April 22, I would have never gotten this done.Has anyone else experienced this side affect? I cant get a straight answer from the doctor accept that I have scar tissue that is pinching a nerve in my lower abdomen.So what?I have to go under the knife again and start this all over?

Bill W.
over 1 year ago

4

I had a TT on 8/9 and I feel great by the first week I was already going to dinner and shopping (of course wearing long shirts to cover the drains). I never thought this procedure would be pain free. I never once took any pain medication including tylenol or motrin. I could see results right away and can't wait for the swelling to go down,if I love what I see now can't imagine the feeling I will have of the overall outcome.

Lili
over 1 year ago

5

I am 24 days post tt. I still can not stand up straight and still have sinificant pain. I try and do my regular schedule. I walk a lot. Incision healing great. When will the pain go away? Can anyone answer....please help.

Melissa
over 1 year ago

6

I am 6 1/2 weeks post op.I still have a lot of numbing and swollen tummy with hardness like a small watermelon and redness on lower half. My ankles seem to be swollen also I don't know if one has any thing to do with the other.Dr said I gained 3LBs and to go on a 1500 Cal diet I am 5"7 and way 170lbs Have not lost 1 Lb I do a lot of walking. since day one.

Malenda Pillow
over 1 year ago

7

I had my tt on. June 2nd and everything went great! I had very little pain because i stayed medicated. Thursday will be two week i still do no heavy lifting. I was able to sleep on my side for the first time lastnight...how bout i missed that drain after it was removed..lol..it had became a part of me. I had alot of swelling at 1st but found that i wasnt wearing my garment tight enough so that was a easy fix. Im getting around good but slow. My numbness is even going away. Im going to start massaging the area soon and im wearing my slimming garment for the next 4wks. As long as u have lots of help the process will be easier....Im super happy with my results

Lynee
over 1 year ago

8

I had a full TT with lipo on Wed, June 1. The procedure lasted about 4 hours and I must say the pain is nothing like I imagined. I was up and moving around the same day. I had my f/u appt on Thursday and my doc could not believe how well I was doing. The pain was minimal and I can see the results even with the swelling.

sascha09
almost 2 years ago

9

i had my TT Thursday 4/26 at 2pm, Im doing ok not taking the pain meds just ibu 600 Im mostly concerned with the swelling. How long does it take to get rid of the swelling. Im up and walking around a little hunched, but its not that bad. Is it normal to gain weight right after surgery?

brittney
almost 2 years ago

10

i am 6 days post op for tummytuck.1 st day was really hard ,2nd day was hard as well then my 4th day i was able to walk around fro a bit .but experiencing some swelling under the lower abdomen area.other than that iam happy with the result.

joann
almost 2 years ago

11

I had mine done on 4-18-11. The first three days are the worst, you definitely need someone to help you care for your kids. I have 3 year old twins and I couldn't do anything for them at all for the first week! I have had 2 c-sections and have a high tolerance for pain. The pain was worse than my 2 c-sections put together. But in the end worth it!

LeeLee
almost 2 years ago

12

I had mine done two weeks ago and am still draining some of the fatty fluid through an area that was suffling under my belly button along the bikini line and walking straight is a husltle, but other than that, the rest is healing quite well and I am pleased with the results. It was worth the pain!

Jessie
about 2 years ago

13

I had mine done last Sat. I woke up and felt completely fine. Its when I got home that the pain set in! I'm on day 5 now and still have my drains in. And that is my biggest issues!!! I cant stand those things! I want them out ASAP! I hear once they are out, that the pain level goes down significantly!

Elise
about 2 years ago

14

I thought the same "Why did I do this?" the day after my tummy tuck. As soon as I could get up and walk around, I think day 3, it began to hurt about 90% less. In fact, I wish I had gotten up the 2nd day after, but I was too scared because my pain meds made me feel so loopy and dizzy. Trust me, it seems scary to have to walk around, but have someone help you, it really does make the pain go away faster.

Sarah
about 2 years ago

15

I just had a full tummy tuck with muscle repair 12 days ago. I dont handle pain well. To be honest the first day was excruciating, the second day was half of that. I was able to get out of bed the day after surgery and walk without severe discomfort within 5 days. The way I look now made the pain worth it, although that first day made me wonder why I did this to myself. It is worth it, I promise. Good luck.

Jaime
about 2 years ago

16

You probably won't be able to drive for about a week after your tt, it's very uncomfortable. You should try to see if you can find someone to take the kids for you.
As far as the pain, everyone is different, i felt the pain right after i woke up. (I don't tolerate pain well).
Good luck to you.

odemarys
about 2 years ago

17

About how many days following a tummy tuck should I expect severe pain? Will I be able to get up and do regular activities,such as driving my kids to school?

Tanya S Coke-Cousley
about 2 years ago







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