Swelling After Tummytuck?

I had my tummy tuck 12/14 with anchor cut, I have swelling below the belly button actually the lower stomach looks and moves like a waterbed. I wear my compression garment 24/7 and am very flat above belly button. Is this normal swelling or will this be something that needs to be drained? Anyone else with this problem or any advice?

I sprang a leak on Christmas day. My PS said that it was fluid build up that came out on it's own. When I went for my check up Friday the hole that the fluid had come out of was scabed over so I asked her how I would know if the fluid was building up again and she said it would slosh around and I would know. If you are sloshing like a waterbed then you need to call your doctor now and explain what is happening. It sounds to me that you need to have it drained. Please go ahead and call tonight. Let us know what happens. Take care.

I had tt w/ anchor cut & never had the type of swelling you are talking about. I was swollen all right but it was just the typical type of swelling. Do you still have a drain? Is it still draining? I would say it is a good idea to call the Dr.

I agree with the other posters.....sounds like a seroma and you need to be drained. I too wore my compression garment 24/7 for months and it didn't prevent seromas. If you feel like a waterbed, it is not your normal swelling. Keep us updated and if you have any questions about seromas, I have had and am currently dealing with one and would be happy to answer any specific questions you may have. Good luck to you. By the way, it does NOT hurt to have them needle aspirated, so don't worry about being in pain from that. Sandy

Sounds to me like a seroma - I am having one drained weekly - about 200-300mls. I am 4 weeks post TT. I have worn my garment, I have put my feet up a lot, I have done nothing remotely strenuous and STILL I have a reasonable seroma. It just happens because of the large area of work and nothing can really stop it. My PS says it will eventually slow down and stop. Not soon enough I say as it is really slowing my recovery and I wanna see my new flat stomach!! I met it briefly in the day or 2 post surgery before swelling! lol Dee

Mary, I had a TT on Nov. 28, last drain FELL OUT on Dec. 23. Called doc, said for me to use medicinal Q-Tips dipped in peroxide to keep hole opened and drain it often. I went to his office on Dec. 28th. He did use a needle and aspirated it, No, it doesn't hurt. He told me everything was alright and eventually the body will absorb the fluid. It is real aggravating to have to do the "Q-tip thing",but it's getting better. I have to wear a pad over the drain and it looks like I still have a "pooch"!, but I know eventually our lower abdomen will be as flat as our upper! My problem now is my "garment" I wear 24/7 is getting toobigg! and the zipper parts "rolls" up when I sit down and bags in the butt! I can't wear my "slimming pants"! Is it time to look into getting some type of "girdle"? Comments please! (I know that I'm adding this on to my reply to Mary, but I know our "experts" will read this and advise! Thanks! Take Care. Happy New Year! Nancy

Thanks everyone for your advice! I'm going to call Dr. sounds like I need drained. I had both drains removed 7 days after surgery maybe it was a little too soon. If I need to be drained is this like a one time deal or depends on how much more swelling I have? If this was a seroma would there be an open area or do they not always open? Thanks!!!

Mary, It will depend on how much fluid you have as to how many times you are drained as well as your bodies ability to absorb the fluid. You will not always have an open area. My first one I never had an open area and it was later surgically removed. The one I have now leaked from the JP drain site, which eventually scabbed over. I am now having it needle aspirated. Hope this info helps! Sandy

My stomach was quite swollen also. Then after two weeks my navel burst opened and large quantities of white gunk came pouring out. Looked like about two pints to me. Then it stopped and a few days later started again. Now it is fine and I feel a lot more comfortable. Your body usually finds a place to open to get rid of the excess liquid. If not the doctor can drain it. I had my right arm drained three times. It sounds awful but didn't really hurt. Have them novocaine the area first before the needle goes in.

I'm 9 weeks post op abdominoplasty, had 4 drains, all of which are gone. I have a seroma that is about the size of a nickel, which drains a brownish goo (about a teaspoon every 12 hours) and I have to wear surgical pads and dressings to keep it from leaking into my clothes. It's annoying but my PS said it's normal. However, my lower abdomen, he said they removed 15lbs of excess fat and skin, and could not remove ALL of it--so in April I go back to the OR for revisions & Lipo which he said he would manipulate as a revision no mention LIPO so INS covers this. I said otherwise we no go. I kind of worry now and then when I see the goo, and ooze, and occasionally red (blood spots-teeny) but this post/thread has surely educated me that I am not alone now. I've just been worried something is wrong but now I see that this is the norm. I look slightly pregnant (impossible for me to be-medically) so it bothers me that I have a slight swollen lower belly below my belly button. Anyone else would say "how slim I look" but all I see is that belly. Thanks for the info! Stacey W 310/142 2lbs from GOAL!!!!!!! OMG