Leg Swelling After Tummy Tuck

Swelling after a tummy tuck is a common side effect of surgery. Tummy tucks are typically performed on patients who have loose skin and fat around the stomach area due to weight loss or pregnancy. Swelling after a tummy tuck can be uncomfortable, but it is normal and may last several months.

Fluid accumulating in your body’s tissues is the cause of the swelling that happens after a tummy tuck. This fluid causes pressure on surrounding tissues, which causes swelling. Swelling after a tummy tuck can make it difficult to move around, sleep comfortably, and exercise normally. In this guide, we review the aspects of Leg Swelling After Tummy Tuck, upper thigh swelling after tummy tuck, lower stomach pouch after tummy tuck, and How do I reduce swelling in my legs after abdominal surgery?

In addition to swelling, you may experience pain or tightness in your abdomen after your surgery. Myofascial pain, also known as the pain associated with this condition, typically results from tension in the muscles surrounding your abdomen and pelvis. If you do experience severe pain or discomfort during recovery from surgery, contact your doctor immediately so they can provide proper treatment options for you.

Leg Swelling After Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, is held to be an effective solution for reshaping the abdomen. Although a healthy diet and regular exercise can help you maintain your ideal weight, they won’t be able to reverse the effects of pregnancy or extreme weight fluctuations, such as stretch marks and skin elasticity loss. Thus, surgeons suggest undergoing a tummy tuck to help you solve the aforementioned problems. Through this surgery, specialists tighten the stomach muscles and remove loose skin and fat afterwards. 

Swelling after an abdominoplasty is common

It’s important to note that swelling in the abdominal area is mostly expected following a tummy tuck. The main reason is related to lymphatic vessels and the blood vessels in this area of the body. They work as a drainage system for fluids. When you undergo this operation, both the blood supply of the surgical area and the lymphatic system are influenced. Since this operation needs some incisions along the pubic area, the skin above it, as well as the blood vessels, will be manipulated. Thus, the blood may not reach this area easily. Then, the skin will swell gradually as a reaction.

In addition, as the lymphatic system, which is responsible for the drainage of the fluid, is cut and altered, fluid accumulation might happen. The fluid might accumulate in the abdominal area or somewhere close to your legs and thighs. That’s why some candidates report leg swelling during their recovery process. To prevent this, patients should have drains for a few days after the surgery. Swelling is usually at its worst for the first two months after a tummy tuck, though every individual is a little bit different. As the body repairs lymphatic vessels and blood, the swelling continues to resolve.

This healing process might take up to a year or longer to complete, so it is normal to see minor swelling by that time. The amount of swelling experienced following your tummy tuck operation can also vary depending on the method you choose. A mini tummy tuck (drainless tummy tuck) usually results in less recovery time and swelling than a traditional tummy tuck. Alternatively, adding liposuction to a tummy tuck may produce swelling in other areas of the body as well. 

How to Get Rid of Fluid After Tummy Tuck

How to reduce post-operative swelling?

There are several tips to deal with swelling of the tissues following a tummy tuck. 

1. Find an experienced surgeon and follow the instructions carefully 

Post-op complications depend greatly on the surgical operation itself. To have an easier and shorter recovery, you have to find a highly knowledgeable and experienced surgeon who can predict and manage your treatment course at its best.For decreasing swelling in abdominoplasty, the less the doctor ruptures or manipulates the tissues, the better. Therefore, you are suggested to choose your surgeon and tummy tuck destination wisely. The post-operative phase is more important than the surgery. So, listening to your doctor and following their bits of advice is essential. Upon your doctor’s prescription, you should take certain medications to reduce inflammation and swelling.

2. Wear A Compression Garment For About Two Weeks

A compression garment can help you handle swelling by applying pressure and limiting the amount of fluid in the surgical zone. A good (too loose or not too tight) compression garment – whether it is a lipo garment, Spanx, or girdle– will also put gentle compression on the tissues and decrease swelling. Drains, normally a necessity following tummy tuck operation, syphon off the fluid that would accumulate under the skin. Ensure they are working properly. Strip them every hour, empty every eight hours, and record the drainage in cc’s. Clean off around the drain entrance sites on your skin by alcohol at least twice a day. Compression garments serve many purposes to help aid your recovery following a tummy tuck, lipo, or body lift. Some of the main benefits include: 

• Reduced swelling: If you are wondering how to decrease swelling following a contouring operation, a compression garment will do just that. It can help restrict the edema that occurs after surgery by applying firm pressure to the area. 
• Lower risk of bruising and bleeding: Wear post-op garments are shown to decrease hematoma and reduce the chance of postoperative bleeding. 
• Speeds the healing process: Candidates who wear compression garments following body contouring surgery might be able to start their normal daily activities sooner than those who do not. They can enhance oxygen levels in soft tissue, allowing faster tissue repair. Some brands even have perforated material that touches only some parts of the skin to increase blood circulation, which promotes faster recovery.
• Shapes & contours: A compression garment can support and reinforce your new curves as you heal. For instance, after abdominoplasty wearing one is specially beneficial for patients with poor skin elasticity since after-surgery garments promote skin retraction. 
• Potentially reduced risk of keloid scarring: Keloids may form when excess scar tissue grows over a healed wound. Compression therapy is the first line of defense against keloids because it can soften and break up keloid scar formations. 
• Reduced infection risk: Like a Band-Aid, a compression garment could shield your skin from outside germs like a barrier. It protects the wound while you heal. 
• Less pain & discomfort following surgery: Gentle pressure and support can relieve pain symptoms. For instance, think about when you bang your shin. Your instinct is to apply pressure to the site with your hand since it makes the injured area feel better. The same principle applies following trauma from a surgical operation. Again, the key is gentle pressure. 

3. Consume A Well-Balanced Diet

Healthy food can accelerate your recovery for sure. You can handle the swelling by adding high-fiber foods, fresh fruits, and grains to your daily diet. Also, drink water as much as possible which can stop the fluid accumulation. There are several tips for diet following a tummy tuck. Foods to avoid after tummy tuck:

• Processed foods: Since they promote inflammation to a great extent, patients should prevent eating them, specially carbohydrates like bread, cereal, and rice. 
• Alcohol and cigarettes: They slow the body’s healing period and also thin the blood. Physicians suggest avoiding alcohol and smoking generally from 2 weeks before to 3 weeks after the operation. 
• Salt: Prevent salty foods for at least two to four months after the tummy tuck. This is mostly because they might cause body bloat and nobody wants that following a tummy tuck! 
• Fat: “Fat is the enemy!” You have undergone tummy tuck becsue you wanted to get rid of your fats; if you expect a promising outcome, you should accept the restrictions in your diet and take a different lifestyle including exercise and nutritional considerations on the top. However, “not all fat is bad!”. Bad fat (saturated fat) is solid at room temperature and exists in most animal products, as well as processed foods and fried. Just because fat deposits were removed, it does not necessarily mean that all kinds of fats are bad. A healthy amount of good fat is crucial for your health. The valuable sources of good fat are olive oil, nuts, fruits like avocados, and grains. 
• Soda: It leads to gas and bloating. 

Foods to eat after tummy tuck

• Water: Drinking plenty of water following tummy tuck surgery can help the body heal faster. Loss of water, as well as narcotic pain medications and low-fiber diet, cause constipation, and this, in turn, may lead to abdominal pain. Plain water, fruit juice, light tea, and soups made from fresh and lean meat are suggested for the post-op tummy tuck diet.

• Carbohydrates: They help restore body strength and accelerate the recovery process.  They avoid muscle loss and stimulates the rejuvenation process. Whole grains, oatmeal, brown rice, etc., are good sources of healthy carbohydrates.

• Vitamins: Taking vitamins A and C after the operation will ensure optimal healing of the incision, aid skin regeneration, and decrease bruising and the risk of infection. Vitamin A is found in eggs, cod liver oil, and dairy. Vitamin C is found in citrus, leafy greens, strawberries, and tomatoes.

• Proteins: Protein is a key parameter in building new cells and structures efficiently throughout the entire healing process. It is found in eggs, lean fish, lean meats, beans, seeds, nuts, dairy products like yogurt, etc.

4. Use Drain Tubes

Drains are often used during or following surgery to help the body expel fluids that collect at the surgical site. Abdominoplasty, or tummy tucks, are no different and patients will have one or two temporary tummy tuck drains inserted after the operation. Although it might sound weird that your body needs to be drained after tummy tuck operation, it’s important to perceive draining is necessary to help your body heal from the surgery and prevent infection. Tummy tucks eradicate excess skin that’s left behind after weight loss. Females, who have finished having children, are probably the most common tummy tuck candidates followed by individual who have achieved remarkable weight loss.

Losing that extra skin is like a huge success after working hard to get to a normal weight! It’s common for the body to send fluids to an injured site, and surgery injures the body even if it’s repairing something inside. These fluids lead to pain and swelling, but it’s the body’s way to cushion an injured site. The body can drain fluids on its own after minor injuries, but after surgery, it often floods the surgical site and can’t drain fluids fast enough.  Drains speed up the process and prevent additional swelling and infection and in turn help with faster healing. They are thin, clear silicone tubes that are inserted through very small incisions behind the main incision. They reach into the zone between the ribcage and pubic region, or a smaller gap in the lower part of the incision made into the abdomen. 

5. Do Simple Exercises On A Regular Basis

Even though you must minimize your physical movement for the first few days, it’s still important to keep up a low level of activity to decrease the risk of blood clots. You won’t be able to do any high-impact exercise for several weeks, but even if you rest in bed just after operation, you can do simple thigh and calf exercises to keep your circulation going. Flexing the calf and thigh muscles and doing heel-toe movements can help with this. Ensure these movements don’t put any strain on your stomach muscles. 

When it comes to looking your best, there are many effective alternatives, such as exercising regularly, staying well hydrated, and eating right. All of them can help you look fit. However, there are some problems that you can’t solve on your own like tightening your skin after extreme weight loss. In such situations, you must ask skilled plastic surgeons to help you get rid of sagging skin and stretch marks. To achieve the best results, having tummy tuck in Iran is highly recommended because Iranian specialists can fully clarify each and every step you need to take, give you practical tips and help you obtain what you really want.

Moreover, the cost of tummy tucks in Iran is considerably low. Thus, by having this operation in Iran, you will be able to save a significant amount of money while receiving excellent services. Another important point to mention is that if you decide to undergo these types of surgeries in Iran, consulting with medicaltourism companies like Aveheal can be incredibly helpful since they can simplify the whole procedure for you by elaborating on the available options, selecting the best type of visa, and finding the most experienced specialist based on your necessities, etc. In a nutshell, by following all these steps, you can enjoy the results of any operation you desire to have for years to come.

Stages Of Swelling After Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck surgery – or abdominoplasty – is a popular and highly effective way to reshape the abdominal area. A healthy diet and regular physical exercise might not be enough to repair the changes in your tummy’s appearance caused by pregnancy or massive weight loss. Pregnancy also leaves stretch marks and skin creases, resulting in skin elasticity loss, known as elastosis.

It’s important to keep in mind that tummy tuck surgery is a body contouring procedure that aims to resurface the abdomen. It is not a weight loss surgery. Tummy tuck reverses the signs of aging by removing excess skin and restoring skin tone. When performing a tummy tuck, your plastic surgeon will remove the excess skin and fat, and tighten your stomach muscles.

A normal side effect after tummy tuck is swelling, which is temporary and usually disappears within the first few weeks. However, potential infections or failure to follow the plastic surgeon’s post-operative instructions may cause swelling to persist for longer than expected. Understanding why and how tummy tuck swelling occurs can reduce patients’ concerns and help them have realistic expectations about their tummy tuck recovery.

Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline

Before examining the side effect of swollen abdomen, let’s see how a patient can heal better and faster after a tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck.

As with any other type of plastic surgery, recovery after a tummy tuck takes time. Your plastic surgeon will explain exactly what to expect after the procedure. He will probably recommend using a light compression belt to help reduce swelling and other possible complications. The post-surgical garment should be worn day and night for up to six weeks.

Typically, the recovery period lasts for at least two weeks, but you should wait another four weeks before starting to work out again. Without your plastic surgeon’s approval, you should not engage in any physical activity – particularly abdominal exercises.

What Causes Tummy Tuck Swelling? Is It Normal?

Swelling in the lower abdominal area after tummy tuck surgery is a perfectly normal and expected part of the healing process. 

Tummy tuck surgery causes changes to the patient’s lymphatic drainage system. In particular, the plastic surgeon pulls tight the abdominal skin and relocates it in a new position, similar to a facelift. As a result, the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels in the area that used to drain fluid upwards are now divided. 

New lymphatic connections will form with time, but fluid cannot be drained through the lymphatic drainage vessels until then. Instead, it flows down with gravity. In addition, scar tissue stops the fluid from migrating. This fluid buildup that makes the tummy area grow larger is known as swelling or edema.

The extent of swelling may also depend on the type of tummy tuck surgery. A mini tummy tuck usually results in less swelling and recovery time than a traditional tummy tuck. Moreover, combining a tummy tuck surgery with liposuction in the abdomen or other parts of the body often produces more swelling in the affected areas.

Another thing to keep in mind is that pain medications also play a part in producing swelling in the abdomen. Pain medications may slow down the gastrointestinal tract and cause constipation and bloating. This is only temporary, though, and resolves when the patient no longer needs the medication.

How Long Do You Stay Swollen After a Tummy Tuck?

The patient’s abdominal area is visibly swollen over the first few days after tummy tuck surgery. The area around the scars is usually where swelling persists for longer.

Minor swelling continues to exist in the area for around two months, but its extent depends on the patient’s aftercare routine and daily activities. For example, standing up for long hours will probably cause the abdominal muscles to grow large again. However, a good night’s sleep will help reduce the swelling and speed up the recovery process. In some cases, minor swelling can persist up to one year after surgery, but most patients have gotten rid of swelling after 18 months.

Being patient and following your plastic surgeon’s aftercare instructions is the key to effectively resolving swelling and puffiness after a traditional tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck. Patients with a strong immune system, who stick to their doctor’s post-operative care instructions, heal faster and better.

If you had your tummy tuck surgery at the European Institute of Plastic Surgery (EIPS), Dr. Stavrou would always be eager to answer all your questions during and in between your follow-up visits.

How to Reduce Swelling After a Tummy Tuck

Wearing a compression garment as directed by the plastic surgeon is one of the most crucial steps of post-operative care that speeds up the recovery process and helps relieve feelings of discomfort.

The patient should avoid any strenuous exercise and excessive movement after surgery. A good idea would be to go shopping before the surgery to ensure there is plenty of food, water and anything else they might need at home during the first days of healing.

Even though swelling is a natural part of the recovery process, here are 10 doctor-approved tips that can help reduce the severity of swelling after a tummy tuck.

10 Tips to Reduce Swelling

1. Avoid overconsumption of salt
2. Minimize sodium intake through food
3. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
4. Refrain from smoking
5. Keep the scars and abdomen clean
6. Get enough sleep and rest during the day
7. Try elevating your lower legs while resting
8. Incorporate light walking into your daily routine
9. Listen to your body & don’t rush your healing 
10. Be consistent with your follow-up appointments

Tummy Tuck Combined with Liposuction or A Mommy Makeover

Patients who choose to combine a tummy tuck with liposuction or a Mommy Makeover should expect more persistent swelling in the affected areas. Again, it is normal for the healing process to last longer for patients who underwent a combination of plastic surgeries. However, most women find it worth the swelling, as this combination of procedures resculpts the body beautifully, leaving a firmer, more pleasing silhouette. Apart from a tummy tuck, a mommy makeover may also include an arm lift, breast lift, and liposuction of the abdomen and thighs.

The tummy tuck is a particularly transformative procedure. That means for the final results to be visible, it might take weeks, months, or even longer. Additional plastic surgery, such as stomach liposuction, will further increase the recovery time and swelling.

Patients need to have patience throughout the healing process, trust their plastic surgeon and follow the post-operative care instructions precisely to see the swelling subside and incisions fade as soon possible.

Swelling After Tummy Tuck 6 Months

The swelling experienced after a tummy tuck procedure will present a little differently for each person, but generally, will appear and then resolve in a few stages. A tummy tuck is a relatively invasive and extensive cosmetic surgery and as such, it requires adequate time to recover and see settled results. Tissue induration or firmness can last up to 6 months as inflammation slowly leaves the body.

Immediately post-procedure, abdominal tissues will tend to swell over the first few days, peaking roughly day days 3–5. Many patients will describe a sensation of tightness and bloating. Your limbs may retain a little fluid for a day or two after your surgery but this is usually eliminated naturally within a day or two.

A significant amount of your swelling and/or bruising will come down by three weeks post op. Tummy tuck patients will wear a snug, elastic abdominal binder which applies consistent compression to the tissue and helps to minimize the risk for seroma (collections of fluid) under the surface. The binder or compression garment will usually be worn for 3-6 weeks. Patients are advised to limit physical activity, including cardio-type workouts, for the first three weeks in order to further help reduce swelling and other risks. Once out of the binder and resuming normal daily activity, you may notice slight, rebound swelling, which subsides within a few weeks. Gentle massage can be done by the patient after the second week to help move fluid away from the area and smooth contours.

Between 3 weeks and roughly two months post op, tummy tuck patients will note a significant decrease in swelling around their midsection, as well as most discomfort and remaining tightness. At 3 weeks, most patients feel like they are getting “back to themselves”, However, residual swelling of the abdomen can remain for up to 6 months.

The abdomen will often hold a little fluid in the tissues just above the incision line, where circulation and the lymphatic channels in the front of the body have been disrupted. This can create a small “muffin top” or overhang. The umbilicus, especially if a small hernia was repaired, is another area where residual inflammation may persist for a few months longer. This phase of waiting for all the swelling to completely leave the body can be very frustrating and requires a lot of patience. As you will see your most rapid changes in the first month or so, this last phase is important to understand and anticipate. 6 months is typically a good time to evaluate settled results for most people. In the long run, some patients will even experience minor, intermittent swelling when increasing activity levels a year or more after surgery.

The following are some factors which may influence post-abdominoplasty swelling:

• Muscle/diastasis recti repair
• Supplementary liposuction done with the tummy tuck
• The surgical plan: Mini, full or FAB tummy tuck, additional repair
• The patient’s overall health

There are a few things you can do to ensure that you experience minimal swelling and recover more quickly. Following your plastic surgeon’s post-op instructions will help keep you on track.

• Arnica tablets and Arnica based topical gel can help reduce both swelling and bruising.
• Wear your post op garment properly, snugly and consistently for the duration of the time that you are advised to.
• Avoid prolonged standing or sitting for the first couple of weeks and certainly avoid activity which elevates your heart rate and gets the blood pumping as you will increase blood pressure and tissue swelling.
• Excessive twisting and turning at the waist as well can not only cause discomfort but increase fluid in the area.
• Gentle massage by hand or with a soft paint roller can be helpful.

Swelling is a normal part of tummy tuck recovery. The best way to help yourself heal and recover quickly is to relax and try to be patient. Be sure to discuss your expectations with your plastic surgeon. Plan ahead, take time off, and get assistance at home if you need it so that you don’t have to overexert yourself.

How To Reduce Swelling After Tummy Tuck

If you are considering abdominoplasty, you may be wondering what you can do to reduce the side effects of the procedure. It is completely normal to experience some swelling after a tummy tuck procedure. While this side-effect should resolve with time, there are a few ways in which swelling and inflammation can be effectively reduced as you recover from surgery. Read on to find out what you can do to reduce swelling, and how we can help you enjoy a smooth recovery…

Wear your compression garment

The range of compression garments that are suitable are as varied as the people undergoing the surgery themselves – A thin patient post pregnancy will be different to someone having surgery after significant weight loss. After your surgery the compression garment helps to reduce swelling and aid the healing process. You must wear this garment as per your surgeon’s instructions as it will go a long way in managing post-surgical swelling. Each patient is different, but you may need to wear your garment for up to two months as you recover from your procedure.

Consider medication

Your surgeon may recommend medications following surgery, which can help reduce inflammation, as well as pain and discomfort. Be sure to take your surgeon’s advice regarding which medications to take as this can make your recovery much more manageable.

Eat a healthy diet

Sticking to a healthy, balanced diet is advisable following surgery. Try and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Try to limit your consumption of caffeine, alcohol and carbonated drinks.

Get some exercise 

When it comes to reducing swelling after a tummy tuck procedure, it can be helpful to get some light exercise every day. Try and do some walking as soon as you feel well enough, but be sure to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting while you are still recovering. Your surgeon will let you know when you can resume your usual workout routine. Regular walking, as well as light stretching exercises, can help to relieve swelling and tight muscles.

Don’t skip your follow-up appointments

Even if you are feeling good after surgery and your recovery is on track, you must see your surgeon for any follow-up appointments that you have scheduled. At these appointments, your surgeon will check your incision sites for any signs of infection and inflammation and ensure that side effects like swelling are resolving as they should. If you have any concerns regarding any post-surgical side-effects that you are experiencing or the recovery process in general, these appointments are a good time to discuss them with your surgeon.

upper thigh swelling 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.

lower stomach pouch after tummy tuck

A “muffin top” refers to the protuberance of the upper abdomen which results in a protrusion (bulging outward) of the upper abdomen and concave (curving inward) lower abdomen. This contrasts to the more desirable “ideal” abdominal shape characterized by a concave upper abdomen and gentle convexity of the lower abdomen. Below is an example of a patient who underwent a tummy tuck with muscle repair by another surgeon. As you can see in the picture, her surgery resulted in a less than desirable “muffin top” appearance.

What Causes This Complication?

The question that patients consulting me for a revision tummy tuck routinely ask me is why did this happen?

To understand how this complication occurs, we have to review the anatomy and surgical maneuvers used during tummy tuck surgery. After lifting the skin of the muscles, surgeons repair them by plicating the muscles in the middle like a corset. Plicating just translates to “tightening”. This vertical tightening of the muscles is performed both above and below the belly button.

If one tightens the muscles above the belly button less than the muscles below, it can create a muffin top. Optimally, your surgeon should tighten the muscles above the belly button just slightly more than the muscles below the belly button in order to provide you the desirable concave upper abdomen and slightly convex lower abdomen.

Another possible cause of the muffin top after a tummy tuck can occur despite appropriately placed tension of the repaired muscles. Thinned out muscles and their lining causes this muffin top deformity in some patients. This occurs following muscle tightening if the increased tension makes the muscle and lining stretch out again. The medical terminology for thinned out muscles is muscle attenuation. Unfortunately, it is not possible to tell if your muscle repair will hold until after your surgery.

Tummy Tuck Revision to Repair a “Muffin Top”

We can fix a “muffin top” in two ways. If improper muscle tightening by the previous surgeon is the cause, then a revision tummy tuck will require resetting the proper tension so that the upper muscles are tightened slightly more than the bottom muscles. If the muffin top resulted from muscle attenuation, then you will require a Tri-Modality repair, which will not only tighten/repair but also reinforce your entire abdominal musculature, thereby eliminating the potential for further muscle stretch.

Pictured above, a 48-year-old mom with identified muscle attenuation who underwent the comprehensive Tri-Modality repair during her tummy tuck to avoid a post-operative “muffin top” deformity.

Are You Considering A Revision Tummy Tuck?

Are you unhappy with your results or struggling with a “muffin top” or other complications following a tummy tuck surgery? Contact Dr. Mowlavi for a free consultation to see how you can improve your results and achieve a flat, beautiful stomach. For your convenience, we have offices in Newport and Laguna Beach, CA.

How do I reduce swelling in my legs after abdominal surgery

Ankle and foot surgery usually involves an incision to the surgical site. Any type of wound can lead to inflammation, causing the area to swell. While fluid buildup is normal and results from white blood cells rushing to the area to heal it, you can take steps to prevent more swelling. Too much inflammation is counterproductive, can cause extra pain and decreases your range of motion.

Continue reading to find out more reasons to ease inflammation after surgery and discover an array of ways to reduce swelling in your foot and ankle.

Why Is It Important To Decrease Swelling After Surgery?

The first few weeks after surgery are critical for recovery, and you should carefully follow your treatment provider’s instructions to minimize the risk of further injury. Taking steps to reduce inflammation can speed up recovery of the affected area and give your body the boost it needs to avoid complications, such as:

While the risks associated with surgery to your feet are generally low, complications such as a blood clot can lead to serious problems. Follow the advice below to reduce ankle and foot swelling, but always speak to your health care practitioner before attempting anything not included in your recovery plan.

Ways To Reduce Fluid Buildup in a Swollen Foot

Below are the best ways to slow or stop swelling for patients who’ve recently undergone surgery to their feet or ankles.

Get Plenty of Rest To Promote Healing After Foot or Ankle Surgery

One of the most effective ways to reduce swelling is to ensure you get enough rest. A doctor or nurse will let you know how long you need to avoid weight-bearing altogether. However, it’s equally important that you get enough sleep every night. You should aim for at least eight hours of sleep per night and take naps whenever you feel the urge. The body does most of its healing during sleep, particularly the deep sleep phase of your sleep cycle.

Keep Your Foot Elevated Above Heart Level

Whenever you’re seated or lying down, you should aim to elevate your lower leg above your heart. If you don’t keep your affected limb raised, gravity causes fluid to collect in the foot, which can be painful and slow healing. Elevation can also help prevent blood clots and edema.

Apply an Ice Pack at Regular Intervals

Cold therapy with ice packs helps restrict excessive blood flow by constricting the blood vessels leading from your legs to your feet, which in turn brings swelling down. Always wrap cold items in a towel or tissue, and only maintain contact between the compress and your body for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. 

Apply cold compresses three to four times a day to reduce swelling, and leave at least an hour between cold therapy sessions to prevent skin damage. Avoid using heat therapy on your feet and ankles as it can increase inflammation.

Cold therapy is most effective in treating an injury that’s less than a few days old.

Don’t Resume Intense Exercise Involving the Foot and Ankle Until Given the All-Clear

If you’re someone who does a lot of intense exercises involving your legs, knee joints, feet or ankles, be sure to stop for as long as the doctor recommends. Weight-bearing exercise and household chores are also out of the question during early recovery, so be sure to follow doctors’ orders and only conduct approved exercises.

Gently Do Ankle Pumps and Circles If Your Doctor Permits

Usually, people with an injury to the knee, foot, ankle or legs are encouraged to do light exercises to promote blood flow and avoid being fully sedentary. Ankle pumps and circles are often recommended, and you can conduct these exercises while lying down.

First, lie on your back and ensure your feet and legs are elevated. One rep involves flexing your feet towards your heart as far as possible, then pointing them away from your body as far as possible. Repeat this 20 times. Next, rotate each ankle by drawing a circle with your toes, and repeat this exercise 20 times too. If you experience any pain, conduct the exercises very slowly and only do as many as you can, in view of working up to 20.

Use Compression Socks for Severe Swelling

If your doctor doesn’t tell you to wear a compression bandage after surgery, be sure to check if it’s okay to do so. For people who don’t have compression socks, static bandages or elastic bandages are available from medical supply stores. They use moderate pressure to restrict blood flow and keep swelling down. Never use a compression device that’s too tight.

Take Prescribed Medications for Foot Swelling According to Doctor’s Instructions

Doctors often prescribe anti-inflammatory medications and pain medications following foot surgery, and some are available over the counter. Always let your doctor or pharmacist know of any other medications you’re taking to avoid unfavorable interactions.

Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing Where Foot, Ankle or Leg Swelling Is Present

Avoid wearing tight socks, jeans or trousers when recovering from foot surgery. This helps encourage healthy blood flow and lowers the risk of infection. Compression garments are the exceptions to this rule.

Avoid Smoking and Drinking Alcohol After Ankle or Foot Surgery

Alcohol and smoking affect circulation and can slow down the healing process. If possible, avoid engaging in these behaviors to give yourself the best chance of a speedy recovery.