How Long Does Numbness Typically Last After Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for the question. When a tummy tuck operation is performed, the abdominal wall skin is separated from the underlying abdominal wall muscle. During this process,  many sensory nerves are divided. Therefore, some degree of  numbness is to be expected. This may persist for months to years. In some cases/locations, the loss of sensation may be permanent.  Also, as patients become more active, they report abdominal wall swelling (this may increase during the day);  this phenomenon is usually self limited and improves when the lymphatic and venous channels start to work normally. Again, it may take several months/years for this to occur.  I hope this, and the attached link (dedicated to tummy tuck concerns) helps.

Hello, It's very common to have some degree of numbness on the abdomen after a tummy tuck. Usually close to your scar line. It's not uncommon to have this numbness lasts over a year, and sometimes permanently. Before surgery your surgeon will discuss with you and in your surgical consents you will see advisement that you can expect some permanent and some temporary numbness. It's not going to affect much in your daily life, just loss of sensation in that area. Your body still functions the same. It just make take some getting used to. Good luck.

Abdominal wall numbness will happen after a Tummy Tuck. The numbness basically extends the full length of the scar and can extend upwards often above the belly button.  It can take up to 12 months for some sensation to gradually return, however never completely. So expect a permantly reduced area of sensation. This happens because the small nerves that run from the muscle to the skin are damaged during surgery. In addition to this, some patients may experience numbness or discomfort to the front and outer aspect of the thighs. This typically resolves within a few months.. but on the rare occasion can be permament.