Tummy Tuck: Q&A

Ask a Question

What Measures Can I Take Pre and Post op to Prevent Sensitivity Loss After a Tummy Tuck?

I know that there is a risk of permanent sensitivity loss to abdomen after a tummy tuck. Firstly, what is the percentage risk of permanent nerve damage? While I know temporary sensitivity loss/nerve damage is unavoidable, are there any supplements/foods I can take/eat leading up to surgery to lower the risk? Also, what can I do in terms of post-op care to accelerate full nerve regrowth? Thank you.

Tags:

Comment on this

13 Doctor Answers | Asked by jahzara71789 in New York, NY

Doctor Answers (13)
Community Comments (1)

Massage May Help...

As you mentioned, it's normal to have sensory changes below the belly button after tummy tucks but usually this is only a temporary phenomena. Massaging the abdomen and flanks improves blood supply and your ultimate shape but it may also speed the recovery of sensation in the lower part of your abdominal wall. Sensation should return to close to normal levels, it just takes several months or even longer.

Loss of sensation after tummy tuck

Some sensory loss is likely after any kind of surgery but should go on to resolve over time. Regrowth of the nerves will not be stimulated by any post-op supplements that you take orally. It is all about recognizing that nerve regeneration takes time!

Permanent Sensation Loss After Tummy Tuck Very Unusual

Permanent loss of sensation following a tummy tuck is uncommon; in fact, I cannot recall any patients with that complaint. There really is nothing that you can do that would influence this one way or the other. As you mention, temporary sensation loss is the norm.

Nerve Damage after Tummy Tuck

The severing of cutaneous nerve endings is mandatory to remove skin. As such some amount of numbness will the norm after surgery. Over a 3 to 18 month period the nerves will begin a process of regeneration the results of which do not bother most people. There are no preventative measures or postoperative measures take can be taken to reduce incidence or speed up healing.

Sensory loss after TT.

Many sensory nerves are divided during a tummy tuck, and some loss of feeling is the rule. Some return of feeling is expected in almost all patients, though not quite to normal. There are no supplements, exercises, etc, that will hasten nerve recovery. There are techniques of abdominoplasty that use less "undermining" and therefore divide fewer nerve branches. This is something to discuss with your consulting surgeons. When you ready for an in person consultation, RealSelf has... more

Sensory changes

The sensory changes after the tummy tuck are not permanent usually. With the passage of time the sensation will usually return

Tummy Tuck Skin Numbness

Hi jahzara, Numbness of the tummy skin after the typical tummy tuck procedure is "normal" and expected. During the procedure, some "feeling" (sensory) nerves are injured while working under the skin-fat layer of the tummy. Much of the feeling returns over a 6-18 month period (except to the skin just above the middle part of the TT incision). There's nothing you can do before surgery to prevent numbness or after to accelerate nerve... more

Some degree sensory loss after tummy tuck is unavoidable

The surgical process during the tummy tuck unavoidably results in some loss in sensation. The sensation usually comes back over the course of 6 months. If you ask patients a year after the surgery, usually they will say that normal sensation has returned. There is, however, a residual loss of sensation which is likely permanent but not noticed by the patient. It is impossible for all the nerves to grow back and be exactly as they were before the tummy tuck. That... more

Permanent Loss of Sensation After Tummy Tuck is Rare

Tummy tucks do cause temporary loss of sensation in the abdominal region due to the dissection technique. This sensation returns to normal in the vast majority of situations unless there is some other risk of other neurological problems or diagnoses. Unfortunately there isn't much that can be done to reduce the risk of this temporary loss as it is an anatomical issue not a functional issue. Nutritional supplementation may help in recovery and is probably not... more

Loss of sensation after tummy tuck

Hi, Loss of some sensation after a full tummy tuck is very common and in fact is to be expected in the areas between the belly button (new position in the redreaped tissue) and the pubic hair area. If a patient is very slender, there is more hope that the sensation will come back but still this should not be expected in the areas above the incision site in the lower abdomen since the nerves have been altered to get the upper abdominal tissue to redrape. ... more

Abdominal sensation

There is always some loss of sensation after an abdominoplasty. Some may be temporary and some permanent. It is just the way the surgery is done. Nerves are cut inorder to give you the result you want. Usually it is not a problem.

Numbness is always expected ,on belly after TT / insensibilidad es esperada despues del TT

Even numbness is always expected exceptionally lasts more than 3 to 4 months so ingesting some vits or medicines or some kinds of therapies before or after surgery are unnecessary . el entumecimiento siempre es esperado, no importa que te hagas terapias o tomes cierto tipo de vitaminas o medicinas de todas maneras dicho entumecimiento dura de 3 a 4 meses

Skin sensitivity and tummy tuck

I wish I had any process, whether pre or post operatively, that would have some effect on the sensation changes associated with tummy tuck surgery. The real answer is that you will experience numbness, it will be variable, some will last forever, and after 3 months it is unlikely to bother you again. Good Luck

Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (1)

jahzara71789 21 Nov 2012

Thanks for your replies. I now know that there will be numbness/denervation at first that is unavoidable. However, my main concern is any PERMANENT numbness or loss of feeling. I plan on buying a 1 MHZ ultrasound massager to assist with lumps/fluid retention, etc. Will this help stimulate nerve growth?

Ask a Question