Question:
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR EXCESS FLUIDS AND SWELLING TO GO DOWN AFTER TUMMY TUCK?

MY SURGEON DID NOT PUT ANY DRAINS IN AND I HAVE HAD NO LEAKAGE. WENT TO HIM ON YESTERDAY AND HE TOOK THE STICHES OUT STILL CAN SEE ALOT OF FLUID AND SWELLING WHICH HE SAYS IS NORMAL SINCE I AM ONLY 1 WEEK OUT FROM SURGERY.    — CINDY D. (posted on June 22, 2004)

June 22, 2004
I thought drains were the norm. I am also a week out with a lot of swelling, but have 4 drains that must be emptied 2x per day. I thought fluid pockets could form between the skin and muscle if there were no drains,.
   — Gail O.

June 22, 2004
Drains are the norm, but not all surgeon's use them. The body can and will get rid of the excess fluid over time, with of without any drains. I am not sure how long it takes, but I know it is more then five weeks, because that is where I am at and I still have a small amount of fluid built up. I had 2 drains for the first 10 days after surgery, then they were removed. Fluid continued to build so my surgeon first removed some with a needle and then a week after he had taken the first 2 drains out he put one more back in and left it there for 2 more weeks. Just got that one out yesterday. I still have a small amount of fluid in my pelvic area, but nothing like it was at 3 weeks out. I didn't really want the drain put back in the second time as I wasn't feeling any pain, but it sure did add to the tightness I was feeling, and was glad he put it back in after the fact.
   — DAVIDH

June 22, 2004
The decision to use drains I believe is driven by how much undermining (liftng of the skin and tissue off the understructure) had to be done. The more undermining the greater the chance for fluid pockets to develop. I had a lot of undermining, 19 lbs of skin removed and a total of 9 drains over 8-1/2 weeks. So even with drains I still had tons of fluid. <p>My PS said that it would take 3 months for everything to settle down and he was right. Certain areas started to "suck down" as I call it, earlier but the last areas were around 3 nmonths. The size I wore 3 months later than right after surgery varied from 1-2 sizes. Even if you do not have tons of fluid it will take time for your body to stop producing the fluid. If you develop a large build-up make sure you call the surgeon as it may need to be drained, but other than that just give it time. I suspect it will be a good 2-3 months to see the real results.
   — zoedogcbr

June 22, 2004
Even with 2 drain tubes in, I still developed seromas (fluid under the skin) that had to be drained with a needle. This happened 3 times. I would say that it took me about 3 months to finally see all of the fluid build up go away.
   — Patty H.

June 23, 2004
I had a belt lipectomy 5 months ago - 8 pounds of skin, 8" wide. 4 drains going home.... no seromas. Drains removed at 2 weeks, 3 weeks and last at 4 weeks post-op. <br> Swelling stopping around 3 months, but I am still pretty happy with the results overall.
   — kultgirl

June 23, 2004
I had my tummy tuck on the 14th of June-so I am 9 days post op. My drains were removed 4 days post op. I do have some swelling and was told that is could be swollen for 3 months.Are you wearing a support gargmet-like a girdle for tummy tucks? I wear mine 24/7 and could not imagine not wearing it. I just ordered another one. How are you feeling otherwise? I would be interested in hearing how your recovery is goining. This is so new to me that I am just want to know if what I am feeling is normal. Good luck. Jan
   — Jan S.

June 24, 2004
That you for all your help. I just wanted to know if I was normal. I am doing extremely well as far as my PS is concern. He says he will continue to follow me until all the swelling is gone. He did not suggest a girdle he said if I wear one which I am that it does not need to be tight because they could cause indentions that will be hard to get rid of because of the tissue trying to heal. Please keep me posted as I hope that the final results will be well worth it.
   — CINDY D.