Pulling at incisions 4 weeks post op

I had my Tummy Tuck on 6/20, so I'm just over 4 weeks post op. My surgeon put my incision very low on my body, and it actually falls into the crease between my thigh and my torso. My right side seems to be healing very well, even though I have my right drain in still (which is draining 70 to 80ccs a day, still!). But I'm having a lot of discomfort on my left side. The incision is starting to feel like I'm pulling at it while I walk. It is oozing and leaking fluid (they removed my drain on that side last week because it wasn't draining much anymore).

Has anyone else had this type of issue after tummy tuck? I see my surgeon this afternoon, and I'm sure he'll give me his opinion, but it's frustrating and starting to be very irritating. I am limping when I walk because I can feel the skin pulling on that side and it is uncomfortable. I know I favor that side, because it's so uncomfortable, even when I am sitting and I am thinking because of the way that I favor it, it's making it heal wonky.

I just want to feel like I'm normal, lol.

I hope you get a good answer from your surgeon. I didn't have this experience with my incision, although I did have some wetness around my drain site and belly button, it doesn't sound like what you're describing.

Let us know!

I still have significant swelling. He is sure there's no infection, if there is a seroma, it is a small o-one and he's hesitant to do anything, because that can open it up to infection. So, more water pills, lots of extra compression and time. As the swelling goes down, the pulling will stop. Be careful, drunk lots of fluids, water pill, etcetera.

I go back again next week.

Hang in there. The time it takes is surprizing. I wore compression sleeves for over 6 months from July to Feb. Not the same thing as a TT, but skin takes time. I am glad because, so far, my arm lift scars are not very noticable.

I did get a second set of comp sleeves and if I did it again, I would have them spec made because my shoulders were broad for an xsm, but my arms needed the xsmall. It is un upcharge, but if I have to wear a comp garm for months, it is going to fit. right now, it looks like I'll be able to move to 'spanx' in a few weeks and need something long term, but not necessarily "The Iron Maiden" level post-op garment. I'll wait for a few weeks, but I would invest i a custom garment if I need to wear it for awhile.

Stay sane. Win the waiting game.

The challenge with a custom garment is that you might shrink out of it. At 6 weeks post-op, I needed to get a new compression girdle since my original one was too large at that point. Just something to consider.

Thanks, I can see that - I didn't think about that because last year it was not such a big deal with the sleeves because the initial swelling wasn't that bad. But I had heavy lipo on my thighs this phase and I'm sure they'll shrink - they are like HUGE, but starting to come down. (I was looking for an emoji with fingers crossed)

Once the swelling subsides, if I still need to wear more than Spanx, I will prob get a second garment, but I am hoping spanx will be enough. Today was the first day that I could look in the mirror and even begin to see the pre-surgery thighs. I can;t wait to see what they will look like long term. Dr M said he was going to take out 5 liters, but it seems that I filled up with 10 liters of fluid. I have one from last year that has the same size, but it is sooooooo tight, I cannot take wearing it. It might be better in another week or two.

Fun at the races!! Glad you're doing well.

What procedures did you have for this round with Dr. M? Do you have more surgery planned for the future?

I may go back next year for skin removal on my thighs, but I really hope I am done.

Round 1: extended arm lift*, breast lift with fat transfer only, saddlebag lipo. *3" below elbow up and through armpit and down side chest wall about 5". The pleasant surprise - no armpit hair. That is how much skin was removed. LOL

Round 2: Additional breast lift work, heavy thigh debulking(lipo) for appearance and to harvest more fat for breast lift. Dr M had told me at round 1 that I would need minor breast adjustment because I would lose 10-30% of what he transferred.

I am so happy with the results. The swelling in my thighs is going down, but I am not ready to run a marathon. I have been walking inside stores(very well air-conditioned) holding onto a cart. Sweating and gravity are not your friends when you are trying to get the swelling out.

I am going for a lymphatic massage tomorrow.

You are right. I'm too small for the garment I had leaving surgery. My thighs are down 4 inches in circumference so I don;t get much compression anymore. The ones from last year are comfortable for a few hours but they are too small and I have to take them off. The Spanx are doing a good job - I'm 3 weeks post op, drains are out. I think the Spanx will be OK - i have several pairs. But I could not manage long term with only one compression garment.

It sounds like your surgeon is staying on top of things so that's good. It just sounds like your recovery may be taking a little bit longer than average, but you will get there. Hang in there.