Panniculectomy Post-Op Swelling?

well everyone is different and like I said I had 10 kids and 3 were c-sections so I have not had any swelling that makes me look pregnant....


but I will note that mid-cycle (ovulation) I bloat and become very tender and I did notice my tummy a lil swollen but now since I am approaching my TOM it is gone......so for me wearing the binder/girdle helps just to keep things tight and that compression feels good to me

good luck with your surgery....Oh and if you do decide to have muscle tightening I did not notice any extra pain just tenderness and you can actually feel the muscle definition.

Thank you, birthdaygirl. Your response was really helpful. I have a similar story, but my surgery was last Friday. I needed info about compression girldles, etc.

Hello, I will be having a umbilical hernia repair and panni removal done on June 6th.
Would love to have any advice on what to pack for the hospital and what to look out for.
Thanks in advance to any one willing to share.
Pat Bajwa

My surgery was on March 20 2018. Removal of 10lb pannis. I wore sweat pants no underwear and a tshirt. I was in the operating room for 2 hours and went home an hour and a half after that. I used my pain meds every 4 hours as directed for the first week and weened off as I felt stronger.

Before surgery I followed the Dr's orders very carefully. One week before surgery washing everyday in the shower with dial soap. I had no infection and healed very nicely

My surgery was on March 20th. I did great for a month. At that point a 2 inch area on my incision opened and it required a wound vac for six weeks. I am still wearing a dressing on the would but have returned back to work. I am happy with my results and I would do it again, however there are a few things I would do differently. I would plan to be off a minimum of 4-6 weeks. I went back to work @ 2 and we believe that is what caused my problem, and after the would vac for 6 weeks I got pneumonia and was in the hospital for a week. So all in all I was off work approx 8 weeks. I would also insist that my surgeon send me home with drains, I did not have drains and I had fluid build up which again I contribute to going back to work to soon ( office admin ). For me, the most important thing is I would have scheduled to be off work at the very least 8 weeks.

I had hernia repair and panniculectomy in April 2009 (April 8th or 9th) and wasn't back at wor****il May 5th, 2009. Reason - drains and unable to drive.

I wore my compression garment for 8 weeks and it did help a lot.

I think you're pushing it to want to return in 1 week and for your son's graduation - pick something loose and comfortable.

Good luck!

I think you're pushing your return.  I thought I would take one week off, and then work from home for a week after my plastics.  While I'm not lying around in pain, I'm totally wiped out and having a hard time concentrating on work.  I'll be three weeks out in a few days.

If you can extend your return I would consider it.  If not, well it wont be impossible, but it wont be easy.

Now about your swelling question - yes you will swell, but I dont think it will be so much that you will look pregnant.  Everyone is different, of course, but I found that I could wear my pre-op pants (size 8) about 2 weeks after plastics.  Before then I was ok in stretchy type yoga pants, or a sundress.  I was maybe a few inches bigger, but not pregnant looking.

Hope that helps

 Thank you all for your posts.  I had surgery on Monday, May 16th and returned to work after one week.  We changed the surgery to an abdominoplasty with muscle repair (to avoid the pregnant tummy look) and my recovery is just as I had planned.  By Friday I was walking around the mall and gardening in my yard.  I am swollen, but as someone else had posted, it isn't a pregnant swollen look just a proportionate all over puffiness.  Thanks again everyone!!

Hi. I had my panniculectomy on March 20th. I returned to work full time (office administration) on April 1st. This first week back was very rough. I tired easy and after work could just manage dinner and then right to bed. Spent the entire weekend just laying on my bed reading or watching TV. Today, tomorrow April 10th will be my 4th week status post surgery.............while I do have more energy I still tire about midway through the day and go to bed very early. I would NOT recommend returning to work in one week...........I have a very high tolerance and this has been a rough go for me. I would suggest nothing sooner than 3 full weeks off work. Good luck ! Eventhough it has been rough and I still have swelling..............I would do it again