Bloated After Tummy Tuck

Bloated after tummy tuck: what to do about it You’ve had your tummy tuck, and now you’re swollen. What to do about it? Well, first of all: don’t panic! Swelling is a normal part of the recovery process, and it’s actually a good thing. It means that your tissues are being regenerated and your body is healing itself. However, if you find yourself feeling very bloated in addition to the swelling of your tissues, then there are some things you can do—and some things that may be causing this problem.

First of all, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water during this time—at least 8 glasses per day. This will help to flush out toxins in your system and keep you well hydrated even though your appetite may be diminished. Also, make sure that any food or drink you ingest has been thoroughly chewed before swallowing—this will help reduce bloating by speeding digestion along and helping food move through your digestive tract more quickly as well as reducing gas produced during digestion (which can also cause bloating).

You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing the best and updated information on how to reduce pubic swelling after tummy tuck and stages of swelling after tummy tuck

During the post-surgery recovery period, some of the most common questions our team receive are, “have I put on weight?” and “why do I look and feel so bloated?”

The truth of the matter is that symptoms such as swelling, stomach discomfort and distention are very common after surgery. The good news is that these sensations are only temporary. Phew! Post-operative bloating and swelling usually peaks 48 hours after surgery, but will mostly subside by the 12-week mark.

Why does bloating and swelling happen after surgery?

There are many reasons why bloating and swelling occur after surgery.

1.    The lymphatic system has been disrupted

Swelling occurs in the body as the lymphatics have been surgically disrupted. However, it is important to remember that swelling is an important part of the recovery process and is essential for healing! The swollen areas actually contain white blood cells and proteins that are needed to heal the surgical area.

2.    Functions of the gastrointestinal tract slow down

Anaesthetic, pain relief, antibiotics and other medications all tend to have a “slowing” effect on the gut. The often means that you will experience post-operative constipation, which of course can lead to bloating and discomfort.

3.    IV fluids

During your operation, you will receive intravenous fluids to replenish your body’s fluids and balance your sodium levels. The IV fluid can cause some bloating while your body regulates its fluid levels post-operatively.

4.    You can’t move around as much as usual

When recovering from major surgery, you are simply not able to move around as much as you regularly would. This decrease is mobility can lead to fluid retention and increase your swelling and bloating symptoms. Without being able to participate in the physical activity you usually would, you may even recognise a small weight gain. This is completely normal! Once you have the all clear to begin gentle movement and exercise, you will find that your weight returns to its regular state.

What can I do to help reduce the bloating?

Post-surgical bloating and swelling is mostly eased with time. Although most swelling and bloating will clear by 12 weeks, you may find that swelling ebbs and flows for up to 12 months after surgery. Some ways you can help ease swelling, bloating and stomach discomfort are:

• Gentle mobilisation (i.e. walking) when you have the clearance to do so
• Increase your fluid intake to flush the excess fluid from your body
• Ensure your post-surgical diet is rich in fibre to aid bowel movements
• Gentle stool softeners (such as Movicol sachets) can be utilised to help with post-surgery constipation
• Cease stronger pain medication as soon as practical and replace with those that are gentler on the gut such as paracetamol. It is important to note that post-surgical bloating and swelling cannot be improved with prescription medication.
• Keep wearing your surgical garment to help minimise swelling.

Although it’s uncomfortable, rest assured that post-surgical bloating and swelling is a completely normal part of the recovery process and will subside over time. If you have any questions about your recovery process, please do not hesitate to contact myself and our friendly team on 4920 7700.

Blog Author:

Alecia Baker, Practice Nurse, Hunter Plastic Surgery

About Alecia

Alecia is a Practice Nurse at Hunter Plastic Surgery and has worked closely with Dr Nick Moncrieff, Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Newcastle, since 2018. She is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in nursing and patient management in some of the busiest hospital settings in the Hunter! She really cares about helping our patients become healthy and happy. Her kind and calm manner help them feel comfortable during their journey with us.

Learn more about our Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Clinic

Pictures swelling after tummy tuck

• An extended tummy tuck is similar to a abdominoplasty, but the procedure also targets fat on the flanks and lower back.
• The incision wraps from the low pelvis to the lower back.

Safety

• Extended tummy tucks are generally considered safe. As with all surgeries, there are risks involved.
• Risks include swelling, fluid accumulation, reaction to anesthesia, and numbness after surgery.

Convenience

• Tummy tucks are an in-hospital procedure where patients are put under anesthesia.
• If the procedure is elective, as most are, it will not be covered by insurance.
• It’s important to find a trained, board-certified plastic surgeon whose work you trust.

Cost

• The cost for a tummy tuck varies widely based on where you live, the procedure itself, and the size of the area.
• It will usually fall between $4,000 and $18,000.

Effectiveness

• Extended tummy tucks are very effective with studies reporting that the majority of those who elect to have this procedure are satisfied by the results.

What is an extended tummy tuck?

An extended tummy tuck is very similar to a regular tummy tuck — sometimes called an abdominoplasty — but instead of just reducing excess skin and fat on the stomach, it also targets the flank area, or love handles, between the waist and hips. In some cases, an extended tummy tuck will also target excess skin on the lateral thigh.

The ideal candidates for an extended tummy tuck include people who have lost a lot of weight and have excess skin, and those who want to slim the appearance of their stomach and flanks.

How much does an extended tummy tuck cost?

The cost of an extended tummy will vary depending on the surgeon, the volume of fat, and the size of the area. The price range for a tummy tuck generally falls between $4,000 and $18,000.

In 2019, the average cost of a tummy tuck (not extended) was $6,092 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Because there is more involved in an extended tummy tuck, the cost will likely be more. In addition, this cost is only for the procedure and does not take into account anesthesia, operating room facilities, or other related expenses.

Because tummy tucks are usually done for aesthetic reasons only, the procedure will not be covered by insurance. In some cases, a tummy tuck may relieve back pain and incontinence. You will also likely have to take several days off from work for recovery.

How does an extended tummy tuck work?

Extended tummy tucks work by removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen and repairing any muscles that have become loosened or torn. Through an incision above the pubic hairline that wraps around to the lower back, skin and fat are removed from the stomach and flank area. The skin is laid flat, and the belly button is reattached, giving the skin a smoother, flatter appearance.

In a 2012 studyTrusted Source of 25 individuals who underwent extended tummy tuck surgery, all 25 were “extremely satisfied” with the results.

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Procedure for extended tummy tuck

• During an extended tummy tuck, the surgeon will typically make an incision between your hip bones, low in the pubic area. If you’re having a tummy tuck after a C-section, they may reopen the same scar.
• Any muscles that have been separated, such as from pregnancy, will be sewn together so they appear taut. Full tummy tucks can fix diastasis recti, which is a splitting of the abdominal muscles.
• The belly button will be cut away, and liposuction may be performed if there is extra fat.
• Excess skin is removed from the tummy and flank area, and the skin will be pulled taut.
• Finally, the belly button is sutured in its original place, unless you and your surgeon decide to change its shape.

Targeted areas for extended tummy tuck

Extended tummy tucks target the upper and lower stomach, waist, flanks, and sometimes the uppermost lateral portion of the thigh.

Are there any risks or side effects?

As with all surgery, there are some risks and side effects associated with extended tummy tucks. One study found that 8.5 percentTrusted Source of people who underwent tummy tuck surgery were re-administered into the hospital because of some kind of complication. These complications and side effects may include:

• numbness after surgery, which is typically temporary
• excess fluid or blood pooling in the belly
• swelling and redness
• internal organ puncture — while rare, could be caused by cannula (a tube that removes excess fluids from the body) penetrating too deeply and potentially puncturing an organ

What to expect after an extended tummy tuck

Your surgeon or nurse should brief you on what to expect after surgery including:

• what activities to avoid and how long
• if and when you can consume alcohol and certain medications or supplements
• how long to wear your compression garment
• how to manage your drainage tubes, if your surgeon uses them
• when to schedule a follow-up appointment

You will be able to see some results immediately, though your abdominal area will be swollen and bandaged. For the first few weeks, you will likely be advised to rest at an angle and avoid strenuous activity or lifting heavy things.

Around the 2- to 3-month mark, most of the swelling will likely have gone down, though you may still see some scarring, which should lighten over time. After 6 months to a year, you will see the full results, which should be permanent unless you gain weight quickly or have a pregnancy.

Before and after pictures

It’s helpful to see photos from people who have had extended tummy tucks when deciding if the procedure is right for you. Check out before and after photos below:VIEW GALLERY5

Preparing for an extended tummy tuck

Before your extended tummy tuck, you’ll likely need to get a blood panel to make sure you’re in good health. You will also want to meet with your surgeon to discuss what to expect. Also, you will need to arrange a ride home.

You may also be told to:

• stop smoking
• limit alcohol
• stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs (like aspirin) and certain herbal supplements, which could potentially worsen bleeding or prevent proper clotting

Extended tummy tuck vs. traditional tummy tuck

An extended tummy tuck and a traditional tummy tuck are very similar procedures. The main difference is that an extended tummy tuck addresses the flanks, also known as love handles, between the waist and hip. Because of the additional procedure, an extended tummy tuck is often more expensive, takes longer to complete, and may require a longer recovery time post-surgery.

How to find a provider

An extended tummy tuck should only be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. You can use the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ Find a Surgeon Tool tool to find a list of board-certified plastic surgeons near you.

Bloating 1 year after tummy tuck

Swelling after a tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is quite typical for a surgery this extensive. How long swelling lasts after a tummy tuck depends on many different factors. Understanding why swelling occurs may help you to better prepare mentally and have more realistic expectations for your recovery and results.

Swelling after a Tummy Tuck Is Normal

Swelling in the abdominal area is perfectly normal and expected after a tummy tuck. In this area of the body, the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels work as a drainage system for fluids. During a tummy tuck, these vessels are cut. Because of this, the body removes fluid in the area a lot slower, resulting in fluid buildup known as edema or swelling.

Swelling is typically at its worst for the first 2 months following a tummy tuck, though everyone is a little bit different. As the body repairs blood and lymphatic vessels, the swelling should continue to resolve. This healing process can take up to a year or longer to complete, so it is common to see minor swelling in that time.

The amount of swelling experienced after your tummy tuck surgery can also vary depending on the treatment plan you choose. A mini tummy tuck or a drainless tummy tuck typically results in less recovery time and swelling than a traditional tummy tuck. Alternatively, adding liposuction to a tummy tuck can produce swelling in other areas of the body as well.

Swelling Can Fluctuate throughout the Day

After your initial swelling goes down, minor swelling continues and can be affected by your daily activity. This is because gravity is not your friend. For instance, long hours standing up can increase swelling in the abdomen, but this usually goes down after a good night of sleep. Once you start exercising, you may also notice increased swelling following workouts.

Tips to Help Reduce Swelling

Although swelling is a natural part of the healing process, there are some things you can do to help reduce the level of severity.

The best thing you can do to help minimize swelling is to follow your post-op instructions for tummy tuck recovery. You’ll be instructed to wear a compression garment for the first few weeks. Other tips to help reduce swelling include:

• Getting plenty of rest
• Staying hydrated
• Eating a healthy diet low in sodium
• Elevating your lower legs

How To Reduce Pubic Swelling After Tummy Tuck

After a belly tuck, most people have significant swelling, especially if liposuction was used. The swelling, which is essentially fluid, eventually settles to the pubic area because it is the lowest location. Moreover, the pubic region may undergo liposuction or other procedures as part of a tummy tuck, which would exacerbate its swelling. The best strategies to address this include massaging the area, resting while you heal, and wearing a compression garment for at least one month following surgery.

Stages Of Swelling After Tummy Tuck

After a stomach tuck, many patients are concerned about lower abdominal bloating. We therefore put together the list below to address this widespread worry among candidates for and users of stomach tucks.

3 weeks after a tummy tuck, swelling
As with any surgical operation, edema in the lower abdomen region is common following a tummy tuck. Most patients have severe swelling and even hardness around the abdominal button three weeks following surgery.

3 months after a tummy tuck, swelling
Three months following stomach tuck surgery, lower abdominal swelling should start to go down noticeably. Yet it’s typical for there to still be some slight edema and puffiness in the region.

6 months after a tummy tuck, swelling
Even six months after a belly tuck, many patients continue to have mild bloating. The fact that patients spend a lot of time standing could be one explanation. Yet, a “good night’s sleep” will assist reduce the bloated appearance of the abdomen.

8 to 10 months after a tummy tuck, swelling occurs
After the belly tuck, the majority of the swelling should have subsided between 8 and 10 months. The cause of a still large belly, however, can be fluid retention brought on by diet and salt consumption. Ten months after having a stomach tuck, patients who see a swollen upper or lower abdomen should call their doctor and request a recheck.

One year after a tummy tuck, swelling
After a belly tuck, post-operative swelling progressively goes down over the course of a year to a year and a half. Unfortunately, there is no set period of time for everyone’s recuperation. The patient should visit with their plastic surgeon if swelling seems strange to them.

2 Years After a Tummy Tuck, Swelling
Visceral fat and loose muscle may be to blame for a bulging stomach appearance two years following a tummy tuck. To lessen the bloating that is still present in these situations, patients must lose weight. A trip to the plastic surgeon for additional evaluation or a second opinion can be beneficial.

Following a regular or micro tummy tuck, patience and according to your plastic surgeon’s aftercare instructions are essential to successfully reducing edema and puffiness. Individuals who have a healthy immune system and follow their doctor’s postoperative care guidelines heal more quickly and effectively.

The surgeon who performed your stomach tuck at the European Institute of Plastic Surgery (EIPS), Dr. Stavrou, would be more than happy to address any queries you may have both during and after your follow-up appointments.