Numbness After Lipo?

I had lipo 4 months ago and the spot under my belly button is still numb. Most of the other numbness is gone but this particular spot did not gain any feeling back. I can take a needle or knife and poke it with no feeling what so ever. Is this most likely permenant at this point? Are there any remedies to help the nerves heal or become live again?

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belly button numb

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by crossyourfingers

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Numbness after liposuction

Permanent numbness after liposuction is possible but extremely rare and unlikely. Generally give this up to two years before drawing any final solutions.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Numbness after liposuction

In my experience, the numbness may persist up to one year at which point in time I usually tell patients it most likely will be permanent. However, I have seen some cases where the nerve endings woke up 2-3 years after the original procedure was completed.

Numbness below the belly button after liposuction

Nerve healing can take as long as 12-18 months, so don't give up hope yet. However, if nerves are going to heal, there is usually SOME feeling (tingling, burning, something) within a few months of surgery. Your numbness may be permanent, but it's too early to know for sure.

Carmen Kavali, MD

11 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Resolution of numbness after liposuction

Although it is possible to experience some numbness, or other altered sensations, after liposuction, most often this resolves over the course of the first few months. Rarely, it may require a full year for return to normal.

Periumbilical numbness after abdominal liposuction

There are many cases of sensory return after a year or more from its onset. Frequently, though, the patient feels occasional tingling or "crawling" sensations as the nerve wakes up from its procedure-related sleepiness (neuropraxia). Permanent sensation differences, both a lack of as well as hypersensitivity, are possible side effects of liposuction and are tolerated for the other benefits of the procedure. Should it occur, it is not something that would be... more

Numbness after liposuction

I know of no way to improve sensation near your belly button, but agree with other contributors that even after four months, your sensation may improve. The best strategy is to be patient, enjoy your result, communicate with your physician/surgeon, and avoid injury to the numb skin by any sharp, hot, or otherwise potentially harmful object. Best Wishes, Steve Laverson, MD

Numbness following liposuction generally improves with conservative management

Liposuction generally produces some temporary numbness which resolves with time and conservative management. The numbness improves beginning two to three weeks following the procedure as swelling resolves. By 3 to 5 months the sensation should return to normal. The numbness following treatment with ultrasonic liposuction or laser liposuction takes longer to resolve. Areas requiring more aggressive liposuction or superficial liposuction also may result in numbness which takes longer to... more

Numbness after lipo should not be permanent

Crossyourfingers Liposuction is normally performed using blunt tip instruments that do not cut anything, and thus you should have no nerve that have been cut, only bruised. Thus all your numbness should resolve over time. There are however never 100% guarantees for anything, and there is a very small possibility that this area will always feel different. At this time there is nothing you can do only wait. Luckily it is not an area that requires much sensation... more