All patients experience some swelling above their incision line after a Tummy Tuck. This is a normal part of the tummy tuck recovery we discuss with our patients at the Centre for Plastic Surgery. Discover why your tummy tuck incision causes swelling and more about the tummy tuck recovery with Dr. Leppink, our board-certified plastic surgeon.
Why Do I Have Swelling Above My Tummy Tuck Incision Line?
“The swelling from a tummy tuck is caused by the division of the lymphatic vessels that drain the abdominal skin and fat of the natural fluid that leaks out of our working muscles,” Dr. Leppink explains. “Usually that fluid in the abdomen skin and fat drains by gravity into lymph nodes in the groin, but a Tummy Tuck incision cuts those drainage vessels, therefore fluid will accumulate above the incision.”
How Long Will Swelling Last After My Tummy Tuck?
Swelling after a tummy tuck procedure is expected to last anywhere from 3-6 months or up to a year, with a gradual decrease over time as your body heals. “The good news is that the body will restore that normal drainage pattern, and the swelling above the incision will go away, but it may take months,” Dr. Leppink says. “Most patients report that in the morning their tummies look flat (fluid drains into their back when they are lying down) but when they are up during the day the swelling above the incision accumulates again.”
What If My Tummy Tuck Incision Doesn’t Stop Swelling?
If your tummy tuck incision continues to increase in swelling or becomes increasingly painful, contact your Plastic Surgeon as soon as possible to get properly and professionally treated.
Get Connected With Our Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons
Interested in receiving a tummy tuck procedure, or have questions about post-tummy tuck recovery? Contact our team at the Centre for Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation with our board-certified surgeons.