During body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck, fat cells are eliminated from the body and cannot return. Because of this, patients may gain weight in other places like the buttocks, legs, arms, and breasts.
Gaining a handful of pounds after your procedure won't compromise your final tummy tuck results. You can usually fluctuate within 10 to 15 pounds of your goal weight without any significant issues. However, weight gain over the 15-pound mark can cause skin and abdominal muscles to slowly stretch out of place.
Answer: Swelling after Tummy Tuck
During the procedure your are given intravenous fluid and post operatively your body tends to hold on to the fluid and even accumulate more. Therefore the swelling and weight gain is common.
Post-operative swelling can last for several months and many patients may actually increase in weight over the first month after surgery due to swelling and retained “water weight.” Don't worry, this weight gain and swelling is only temporary and it will begin to drop off as the healing process progresses.
During a tummy tuck, these vessels are cut. Because of this, the body removes fluid in the area a lot slower, resulting in fluid buildup known as edema or swelling. Swelling is typically at its worst for the first 2 months following a tummy tuck, though everyone is a little bit different.
A properly performed tummy tuck can reduce your waist size and help you feel confident about your curves again. Some patients may lose many inches off their waist, while others will see more subtle results. It all depends on how much tissue can be removed safely.
Answer: Why is Waist Bigger After Tummy Tuck
If it is soon after your surgery, this could be due to swelling. If it is more than 6 weeks after surgery, it is possible that you have gained weight.
The most common cause of weight gain after surgery is fluid retention, also known as postoperative edema. Edema occurs when extra fluid builds up in your body to respond to inflammation and promote healing. It may also be caused by intravenous (IV) fluids given during surgery.
It is normal to see weight gain after bariatric surgery because patients still live in an obesogenic environment, and the individual's or surgery's ability to control all factors is limited. Body fat is also subject to metabolic pressures to regain lost weight.
Answer: Water Retention After Surgery
As the swelling resolves and your body is able to get rid of the extra fluid your weight will return to normal. This will happen in approximately 2 to 4 weeks, although there will be major improvement in the first one to two weaks.
One thing people don't realize about a tummy tuck is that after the surgery it can be difficult to sit or stand upright. You'll want to have someone on hand to help you get around your home and help with daily tasks that you might not be up to, such as washing the dishes, getting the mail or doing the laundry.
Answer: Temporary Weight Gain after Tummy Tuck and Liposuction. Weight gain in the first weeks after tummy tucks and liposuction is very common and is, as you have mentioned, the result of fluid retention.
Stay mobile: While it is essential that patients get plenty of rest during tummy tuck recovery, it is also important to incorporate very light walking into your daily routine. This helps to reduce swelling, improve circulation, and minimize the risk of postoperative complications, such as blood clots.
For the first 4-6 weeks there is a metabolic change in the body to catabolism which can promote weight loss.
It is even harder to keep the weight at bay from your tummy once you've lost it. Recent studies are showing patients who undergo abdominoplasty – better known as a tummy tuck – are keeping the weight off and even losing weight long after their surgery. Learn more about the long lasting benefits of the tummy tuck.
Stay active with low-impact activities
Short, low-intensity walks are a helpful way to ease back into activity as well as reduce swelling after a tummy tuck. Once you consult your doctor, you will likely be able to return to other low-intensity activities in a few weeks to help avoid weight gain after a tummy tuck.
Weight gain is associated with increased inflammation in the body. A 2019 study published by Elsevier found that levels of a key inflammatory marker in the blood known as C-reactive protein (CRP) increased as weight increased.
This back up of fluid is called edema or swelling. Swelling or fluid build-up causes weight gain. Swelling is most commonly found in the feet, ankles, or lower legs, but can occur anywhere in the body.
Answer: Fluid retention after surgery can cause temporary weight gain. It is common to retain fluid after surgery, and a 10 lb weight gain is not unusual. It will go away in about a month.
Walking is important. It helps to prevent blood clots, it will help reduce swelling, and it is good for the lungs after surgery.
Daily weigh-ins.
If you're really committed to losing weight, weighing yourself every day can be helpful. Research shows that people who weigh themselves every day have even more success with weight loss than those who weigh in once a week.
Thinned out muscles and their lining causes this muffin top deformity in some patients. This occurs following muscle tightening if the increased tension makes the muscle and lining stretch out again. The medical terminology for thinned out muscles is muscle attenuation.
Answer: Pooch after tummy tuck
Fullness in the lower abdomen can be related to the intra-abdominal organs. This may be related to bloating of the bowels for example and not be related to swelling of the skin or tissues. Again, give it some more time and speak with your surgeon about your concerns.
Yes, a vertically stretched belly button oftentimes indicates that a person has had a tummy tuck.