I'm 5 weeks post op with Tummy Tuck and Liposuction. Is it normal to feel like the inside of me is raw or burning? How long will it take it before it's safe to go without the compression garment on? Some days, when I feel as if the compression garment is rubbing me raw, I check my skin and all is fine. My back is really sore from the liposuction and I can still feel where the liposuction was inserted. Also, should I massage my skin more often in a day?
Pain and itching after liposuction is common. Consult with your surgeon to determine if you have cellulitis or infection. Otherwise, this is best explained by hypersensitive nerves that will begin to equilibrate within weeks of your surgery.
Any pain after the immediate postop period deserves attention. Usually massage or ultrasound treatments help, and can usually stop the pain cycle before it gets out of hand. Occasionally medications such as Neurontin are necessary. In any event, communicate closely with your doctor.
It is not unusual to have a burning sensation persisting several weeks after liposuction or tummy tuck. During the course of these procedures, the normal sensory nerves are stretched or otherwise traumatized, and during the healing process there is inflammation around the nerves that may create abnormal sensations such as "raw" and "burning" pain, even in response to normal stimuli. These "Dysesthesias" may be worse if ultrasonic liposuction was used during your procedure.
Many patients benefit from a de-sensitization routine of over-stimulating the areas which feel painful or raw. This seems to re-set the body's "thermostat" or sense of what is (or should be) normal vs. what is painful. Some patients may benefit from low-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Motrin, Advil, Ibuprofen, etc.), as well as local measures such as cold compresses, in addition to massage of the skin which helps to relieve the lymphatic swelling.
yes it is normal and can last up to 3 months. I would recommend Pramasone lotion 1% massaged in 3 times a day for 5 minutes. It soothes the skin and the massages stimulate the lymphatic system to drain away excess swelling. Also advil or motrin (anti-inflamatory) helps with the strange sensations as well as claritin or zyrtec (antihistamines) since itching, pain, and other sensations can be happening all at the same time. After 5 weeks, the garments don't do a lot anymore except help you feel more supported when you exercise since you tend to jiggle a lot for a few months when exercising. David Hansen,MD
It is normal to have numbness and even sometimes the sensation of burning after either the abdominoplasty or liposuction. As the sensory nerves recover over the next month or two it should slowly resolve. It is expected thought to have some numbness in the lower abdomen between the belly button and scar for many months.
Many patients report relief from the use of over the counter anti-inflamatories like advil. Sometimes massage will also help.
What is are describing is a very normal and expected occurance after tummy tuck and liposuciton and it can contiue to a different degree up to 6-8 months.
keeping your skin very lubricated with vasoline helps much. in sever case I have been able to successfull treat patients with Neurontin which helps to "soothe" irritated nerves.
yours,
Sean younai, MD from beautifulfigure.com
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