How long does the swelling after a tummy tuck last?
The majority of swelling resolves within 2 months, a small amount takes up to a year. A tummy tuck is a major procedure that requires “lifting up” your stomach skin (which divides the lymphatic drainage vessels from under the skin surface), pulling it down to reset the tension of the skin, and then the excess is removed. Basically, the skin from the tummy tuck scar up to your ribcage is in a new environment, where it can only drain fluid “up” and to the sides. Until new lymphatic connections occur across the scar line and down to the stomach muscles, all of the swelling fluid has to run against gravity to get out of the skin. This is one of the reasons that we suggest patients wear compression garments for a period of time after surgery – these garments assist with the “uphill” removal of fluid. A simple way to judge how you are doing is to look at the indentations that elastic clothing create on your trunk. On the front, you will see more of a lasting impression than on your back / fl
