Question:
When will my stomach be flat below my belly button? I had my Tummy Tuck on 6-15-2004

and still have some swelling between the belly button and scar line. Sometimes below my scar line. I paid good money for this surgery and I want it to be flat. How long before I see that. Also, how long should I wear this binder?    — CINDY D. (posted on July 8, 2004)

July 8, 2004
Hi! I posted a question almost exactly like this after my belt lipectomy. I felt too that I was not flat enough. However, I am about 7 months postop, and I truly feel that you do not see the final result until 5 or 6 months post op. I now am happy with my results, where I was not for the first couple of months, and even talked to him about it. I am now "flat" -I just had to wait. I don't know about the binder - my surgeon never made me wear one. Good luck!
   — raye

July 8, 2004
Hi Cindy I had tummy tuck on May 4th and I am feeling the same way my belly is poochie between the pubic area and belly button I was under the inpression it would be flat like it is when I suck in my stomach now I chose my plastic surgeon because I was told be several patients and other doctors is the best in Northern California he is in Napa Valley and even has some celbrity clients I paid alot more to use him because I wanted to be perfecft and I'm not to happy with the results he says its swelling and it takes up to 6 months to go away so maybe its true. Im just not to sure and I know I cann't afford to do it over. I had brest lift and implants at the same time and I think they look fantastic but the doctors says one is off a little and is going to redo it free of charge and I did't notice it till he pointed it out so it doe's seem he wants his work to be perfect but its hard to beleive it is still swollen just have to wait and see I quess. I was told to wear binder 24 hours for first 4 weeks and then at least during the day for the next 2 weeks I just stoped wearing my this week and I was 2 months on the 4th
   — kathy B.

July 8, 2004
I have not yet had my tt, had a consult and will be scheduled for sept. This is what I have been told: I will have significant improvement but probably will not ever be flat. swelling takes 6 months to go down and get a true picture. celebs rarely have been morbidly obese and have a tt because they only pooch a little. I , on the other hand have a pannus hanging below my pubis. I cannot expect to look like Brittany Spears no matter how much I might want to. realistic expectations.
   — **willow**

July 8, 2004
I am wondering the same thing. I do have my flat as a board days and I have my swollen days. Right now it is VERY swollen. Even the pubic area is swollen. I am 6 months post-op and hoping it goes down soon .. FOREVER. This swelling stuff is frustrating!
   — danabky

July 8, 2004
Ona word-YES. Woman you must be patient. You're just 1 month post-op! Avoid salty foods and alcohol and wear the garment as directed by your surgeon and at about 3 months all swelling should ahve subsided. I had my TT last June and if I eat salty foods or have 2 glasses of wine I see some edema, but it's gone over night. patience is a virtue...Diane www.WeightlossSurgery.ws
   — DianeN

July 8, 2004
I had a belt lipectomy in January and I am now just done with the swelling. You're kind of asking a lot for your body to go through all of that and be perfectly healed in less than one month! Plastic surgery is a lot of trauma on the tissue in terms of healing, so hang in there (please pardon the pun). This is is exaclty why I had my procedure done in the winter - so I would be able to do the majority of my healing in the cruddiest of the months and I can enjoy the results in the warm months. (although in Wisconsin this year that isn't saying a whole lot :) My doc told me up up 6 months of swelling, and he was right on base with that.<br> shelli k.<br> www.rnylacrosse.com
   — kultgirl

July 9, 2004
I've heard six month to a year for it to totally be gone. I would say six months was pretty accurate for my LBL.
   — mom2jtx3

July 13, 2004
I am 4 months out from my TT and I have a little bit of a "pouch" between my bellybutton and my pubic area. It is getting better, but I don't think it will ever be completely flat. I think it had to do with judging how much tissue to remove at the time of surgery. Don't get me wrong, I love my new tummy, but it's not completely as flat as I thought it would be.
   — missesrita