Question about swelling (pic included) UPDATED W/Pic W/Out Bandages

OK this is me just a bit ago. I had surgery the 30th so I am just 15 days out. I feel like it's a HUGE improvement already if you look at my before and the large TT and the lipo helped all areas even the upper area. But the swelling seems HUGE when I compare it to others. I know it's 6 o'clock but it's almost this swollen in the mornings after resting.

I feel like there is no way it will be flatter at 3 weeks like a lot of the pics I've seen. 

WDYT? Be honest...Like I said I can deal with a pouch if I have to when the swelling is gone but I am just having a hard time believing the swelling will completely make it go away. It's SO uncomfortable I am not even eating well. Between the swelling, the compression and my sleeve I am just so not hungry. I am trying.

UPDATE: The pic without bandages was this morning so actually it looks some better tonight but still swollen. I have emailed Dr. S and hope to hear from him soon. I am trying not to be nervous about nothing.

Leah, it does look more pouchy than some others I've looked at, but I'll bet it goes down a lot in the next coming week.  Do you think it could have anything to do with the drain being pulled out by the TSA?  Would fluid still be draining there?

Lisa Mc

I emailed Dr. S and of course 30 or lower was ideal but I was under 50 and he said it should be fine. But I do think that's part of it. I am going to start lymphatic massage but not til next week - so that's 5 more days away. He said I need to be 21 days out.

Leah, to me it still looks pretty swollen. At 4-6 weeks, I see my tummy more swollen than it was the 1st three weeks so you never know..maybe you are just getting yours over with early on.

UGH! I emailed Dr. S but it's hard not to worry

Hi am by far not an expert but from the 1st picture of you a few days post op and this one, you look swollen...Hopefully that is it...But either way you are coming along very well.

Darn Leah, you are definitely swollen!  I've never had anything but lipo (and that was a long tme ago) so I can't comment on surgical things, but I wanted to say that you look 100% better than pre-op.  And you've dropped 2 sizes so that says something right there!  I'm so happy for you!!  Just need to exercise some patience I guess. 

Laura

It looks a lot like mine used to.  I tried hard not to worry too.  I saw my surgeon this morning and asked him about it because it still looks puffy.  He said there was a bit of swelling but not much, so I guess I will have a bulge there for the rest of my life.  But, it's one heck of a lot better than it used to be.  I had surgery on November 2nd and i can't believe the difference.
L.

Hi Leah,

Wow what a great improvement :)) . I agree with others here that you are still probably pretty swollen. Try not to fret and give it a little more time before panicking. I didn't realize the TSA made you take a drain out. What a bummer....Do you have a doctor here who can follow up and make sure fluid isn't collecting under there??  Have a good evening!!! Lynette

No they didn't make me take it out. They pat searched me and before I could tell her about it she had a hold of it. It seemed fine but 2 days later the stitch pulled so we tried taping it in and the next day it fell out. It was under 50. But not at 30 which is preferred.

My brother in law is a NP and he's watching me and if it's something he can't handle my PCP will. My sister actually was in the ER last night with a kidney stone so he didn't come today but he will come check it all tomorrow.