I am almost 4 weeks post-op from a tummy tuck and medial thigh lift. I am aware that numbness after a tummy tuck is common. My concern is that for the first 2 weeks after surgery I had no numbness, these symptoms started approx. 2 weeks ago. I am completely numb from my belly button down including my mons pubis area. I last saw my PS 2 weeks ago. He assured me this is normal. I have a f/u visit later this week.
Answer: Is it common to have full sensation and then go completely numb two weeks after tummy tuck? Hello! Thank you for your question! Numbness after any surgical procedure is expected for several weeks to months following. As the nerves to the area are traumatized and will then experience a temporary neuropraxia, a transient loss of nerve conduction. This usually resolves over the next 6-12 weeks, but depending on the procedure performed, sometimes much longer. Typically this should resolve by 1 year. As it goes past this date, the likelihood of the sensation returning is small. However, it can take up to 2 years. If no return from there, it is unlikely to return. It should be discussed that persistent sensory changes may develop following any surgical procedure. Your description is a little atypical and you should followup closely with your surgeon. The usual signs of the nerves regenerating and neuropraxia resolving is itching, followed by a burning sensation and then occasional sharp, shock-like pains. These will be normal to experience, and actually a promising sign. Usually, normal sensation returns, but is is also possible to have decreased sensation or even increased sensation to the areas affected. Re-educating nerves postoperatively is often helpful and will allow proper instruction for the affected sensory nerves - methods include using different textures to the affected areas when showering, bathing, applying lotion, etc. If bothersome, there are some medications that may be helpful, including Neurontin for pain for hypersensitivity. You can try various textures such as washcloths, loofahs, cotton sheets, etc. Massaging the areas is also beneficial for the incision to make the finest scar possible. The last place to regain the sensation will be directly adjacent to the incision/scar as the nerves will make its way from the periphery to this location. If continual pain arises, evaluation is warranted. After ruling out other causes, one rare explanation may be that a neuroma has developed and may require surgical excision. This is very unlikely unless a large sensory nerve has been transected inadvertently during the procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Is it common to have full sensation and then go completely numb two weeks after tummy tuck? Hello! Thank you for your question! Numbness after any surgical procedure is expected for several weeks to months following. As the nerves to the area are traumatized and will then experience a temporary neuropraxia, a transient loss of nerve conduction. This usually resolves over the next 6-12 weeks, but depending on the procedure performed, sometimes much longer. Typically this should resolve by 1 year. As it goes past this date, the likelihood of the sensation returning is small. However, it can take up to 2 years. If no return from there, it is unlikely to return. It should be discussed that persistent sensory changes may develop following any surgical procedure. Your description is a little atypical and you should followup closely with your surgeon. The usual signs of the nerves regenerating and neuropraxia resolving is itching, followed by a burning sensation and then occasional sharp, shock-like pains. These will be normal to experience, and actually a promising sign. Usually, normal sensation returns, but is is also possible to have decreased sensation or even increased sensation to the areas affected. Re-educating nerves postoperatively is often helpful and will allow proper instruction for the affected sensory nerves - methods include using different textures to the affected areas when showering, bathing, applying lotion, etc. If bothersome, there are some medications that may be helpful, including Neurontin for pain for hypersensitivity. You can try various textures such as washcloths, loofahs, cotton sheets, etc. Massaging the areas is also beneficial for the incision to make the finest scar possible. The last place to regain the sensation will be directly adjacent to the incision/scar as the nerves will make its way from the periphery to this location. If continual pain arises, evaluation is warranted. After ruling out other causes, one rare explanation may be that a neuroma has developed and may require surgical excision. This is very unlikely unless a large sensory nerve has been transected inadvertently during the procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!
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CONTACT NOW April 8, 2014
Answer: Numbness after Tummy tuck Numbness after a tummy tuck is quite normal. I usually advise my patients to do specific types of massage to reduce the unpleasant sensations of nerve function returning and to hasten the return of normal sensation.I can't say for sure what happened in your case, although my suspicion is that the existing nerves were 'unregulated' and slightly hypersensitive during the very early healing period, then calmed down as healing progressed. You're certainly doing the right thing by keeping your plastic surgeon apprised. You do want to be sure no infection or abnormal swelling or seroma has occurred that would cause numbness to worsen, and only a visit to your plastic surgeon can determine that accurately.
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CONTACT NOW April 8, 2014
Answer: Numbness after Tummy tuck Numbness after a tummy tuck is quite normal. I usually advise my patients to do specific types of massage to reduce the unpleasant sensations of nerve function returning and to hasten the return of normal sensation.I can't say for sure what happened in your case, although my suspicion is that the existing nerves were 'unregulated' and slightly hypersensitive during the very early healing period, then calmed down as healing progressed. You're certainly doing the right thing by keeping your plastic surgeon apprised. You do want to be sure no infection or abnormal swelling or seroma has occurred that would cause numbness to worsen, and only a visit to your plastic surgeon can determine that accurately.
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April 9, 2014
Answer: Numbness after a tummy tuck It is routine have numbness in the lower abdomen after a tummy tuck.Is not routine to have normal sensation for 2 weeks, and then have numbness occur. I would suspect that you did have this numbness, but it was disguised by the pain you are having during that time.Numbness usually resolves in 3-6 months, however in some cases can take up to a year to resolve.Good luck!
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April 9, 2014
Answer: Numbness after a tummy tuck It is routine have numbness in the lower abdomen after a tummy tuck.Is not routine to have normal sensation for 2 weeks, and then have numbness occur. I would suspect that you did have this numbness, but it was disguised by the pain you are having during that time.Numbness usually resolves in 3-6 months, however in some cases can take up to a year to resolve.Good luck!
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April 9, 2014
Answer: Elevation of the abdominal skin always produces numbness, but tingling is usually delayed Any surgery, whether abdominoplasty, appendectomy, or rhinoplasty, is likely to produce some numbness near the incision, because the small nerves (too small to see) are cut. Abdominoplasty, in particular, generally requires elevation of a skin flap from the abdominal musculature, and must inevitably cut some of the small sensory nerves, so some numbness will always occur, even if it is not noticed.Near the edges of the elevated area, some nerves will be traveling under the skin, and so numbness will be less, even though the underlying tissue was elevated. As time goes by after surgery, the nerves tend to grow back -- this can be both from the cut ends of the nerves, as well as from nerves to the neighboring skin. Often, as the nerves grow back, a "tingling" sensation may be felt. This sensation is generally more noticeable than the numbness itself.You mention that you were concerned that the numbness was developing, and that that might represent some complication. You can be assured that there is no complication of abdominoplasty where the primary indication is an enlarging area of numbness. Your PS is correct: the numbness from the belly button to the mons pubis is not only normal, it is expected.
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April 9, 2014
Answer: Elevation of the abdominal skin always produces numbness, but tingling is usually delayed Any surgery, whether abdominoplasty, appendectomy, or rhinoplasty, is likely to produce some numbness near the incision, because the small nerves (too small to see) are cut. Abdominoplasty, in particular, generally requires elevation of a skin flap from the abdominal musculature, and must inevitably cut some of the small sensory nerves, so some numbness will always occur, even if it is not noticed.Near the edges of the elevated area, some nerves will be traveling under the skin, and so numbness will be less, even though the underlying tissue was elevated. As time goes by after surgery, the nerves tend to grow back -- this can be both from the cut ends of the nerves, as well as from nerves to the neighboring skin. Often, as the nerves grow back, a "tingling" sensation may be felt. This sensation is generally more noticeable than the numbness itself.You mention that you were concerned that the numbness was developing, and that that might represent some complication. You can be assured that there is no complication of abdominoplasty where the primary indication is an enlarging area of numbness. Your PS is correct: the numbness from the belly button to the mons pubis is not only normal, it is expected.
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January 27, 2015
Answer: Numbness of the abdomen after abdominoplasty It is normal to have numbness of the lower and central abdominal skin after a tummy tuck. You may not have noticed all of the sensation in the early periods after the surgery because you were experiencing a lot of pain. The abdominal skin is elevated and therefore part of the small nerves that innervate the central and lower abdomen may have been divided. The skin will reinnervate slowly over time. The last part of the abdomen to reinnervate is the skin just above the pubic area. This may take up to a year and a half to regain full sensation.
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January 27, 2015
Answer: Numbness of the abdomen after abdominoplasty It is normal to have numbness of the lower and central abdominal skin after a tummy tuck. You may not have noticed all of the sensation in the early periods after the surgery because you were experiencing a lot of pain. The abdominal skin is elevated and therefore part of the small nerves that innervate the central and lower abdomen may have been divided. The skin will reinnervate slowly over time. The last part of the abdomen to reinnervate is the skin just above the pubic area. This may take up to a year and a half to regain full sensation.
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