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How Long Does Numbness Typically Last After Tummy Tuck?

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+1

Numbness after a tummy tuck

The skin of the lower abdomen may feel numb for up to one year or even longer.  Usually the area between the incision (scar) and the belly button is the last to have return of sensation.  Remember however that you may never regain full sensation in this area.  Your plastic surgeon should review this side effect with you prior to your surgery. Best wishes, Dr. Bruno
William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Abdominal numbness could last from 10-24 months

Return of sensesation to the abdominal skin after a tummy tuck varies greatly among patients. most people will regain sensation in some areas in 10-24 months, and most likely not in all areas.
S. Sean Younai, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+4

Numbness following a tummy tuck

Following a tummy tuck many patients have numbess along the incisions that can persist for up 12 months after surgery.  The nerves regenerate themselves starting from the outsides of the abdomen, working their way to the midline.  Many patients have permanent sensation loss of the skin between the belly button and the middle of the abdominal incision.  Other common sensations after a tummy tuck include tingling and "lightening shock" pains, which are also... more
Neil J. Zemmel, MD
Richmond Plastic Surgeon
+4

Numbness after Tummy Tuck lasts about a year, but some is permanent

Opa: Doctors usually tell patients before surgery that they can expect some permanent and some temporary numbness. It is often permanent in the triangle extending from the umbilicus down to the upper pubic area (along the incision). The areas from the incision ends, across and above the umbilicus, extending into the upper abdomen are commonly partially numb and temporary. Some sensation recovery occurs in the first few months, but final improvement can take 2 years. Most patients say they... more
Sutton Graham II, MD
Greenville Plastic Surgeon
+3

Feelin is slow to return after tummy tuck, often 2 years

Opa, I would not be concerned at 2 months. Many nerves are injured during tummy tuck and it is normal for the abdomen to feel numb after tummy tuck. Healing of nerves takes 2 years for full healing and return of function to occur. As mentioned above there will be some areas of permanent numbness near the belly button, but patients do not seem to be bothered by this.
Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon
+2

Numbness after Tummy Tuck

There is quite a bit of variation, but expect the lower part of the tummy to slowly regain sensibility over 12-18 month. Often the area just above the scar doesn't regain complete or normal feeling.
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Numbness will last an long time after a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and may be permanent in small areas.

A tummy tuck is a fairly extensive procedure.  Numbness of the abdominal wall skin is part of the recovery process.  Usually the sensation begins to return on the sides and moves towards the center.  It may take more than a year for full recovery.  Ocasionally a small area may never be renervated and numbness in that place will be permanent.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+2

1-2 years

Numbness after abdominoplasty can persist for 1-2 years. Typically this does not present a significant problem.
David J. Levens, MD
Coral Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbness After Tummy Tuck

Just as with a C-Section, numbness from a tummy tuck can last foreverr in some cases. Right after the surgery most of the skin below the belly button is numb but with time most of the feeling returns except a small area just above the center of the scar. There is no numbness below the scar.
Ronald V. DeMars, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbness After Tummy Tuck

Numbness is common after tummy tuck especially in the triangle below the new umbilicus. This can last for up to a year and it can even be permanent. If one has a mini abdominoplasty the numbness is usually resolved in 6-9 months.
Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbness and phantom itching/pain after tummy tuck

To some degree, it is quite likely that you will experience permanent numbness following a full tummy tuck in the area immediately below the umbilicus and above the mons pubis. This is normal and rarely problematic for patients. IT is also normal to have the sensation that someone is itching you at a higher level on your abdomen that can be relieved by itching lower on the abdomen where the skin was moved. see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbness after a tummy tuck

Numbness after a tummy tuck is expected in all patients.  Small sensory nerves get divided during the procedure.  The time frame for the return of sensation is quite variable.  Some patients get most or all of the feeling back in a few months.  Other patients can take as long as 18 months.  There are still some patients where normal sensation never returns. 
Kelly Gallego, MD
Sioux City Plastic Surgeon
+1

How long does numbness last post tummy tuck?

Numbness post tummy tuck occurs because skin elevation divides the sensory nerves.  Skin undermining is greatest below the umbilicus and consequently has greatest decrease in sensation.  Sensation gradually improves towards the centre over 1-2 years, albeit not completely.
Robert Sleightholm, MD
Brampton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbness after a Tummy Tuck

Numbness after a tummy tuck is a common and expected result.  In general, numbness will resolve in an outside in pattern and will occur over 12-18 months.  Recovery can even occur over 2-3 years.   In an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), the abdominal skin is lifted and then cut out.  When the skin is lifted, small nerves to the skin are cut thus leading to numbness.  The amount of numbness as well as the area of numbness depends on how much skin is lifted.... more
Naveen Setty, MD
Plano Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbness after a tummy tuck

It is normal to have numbness throughout the abdomen after a tummy tuck. You can expect to have a steady return to normal over 2-3 months. Some stubborn areas may take up to a year to become normal again. If you would like more information about abdominoplasty (tummy tucks) I recommend that you check out the attached link. You can find a lot of good information there. I hope this info helps...
Adam Rubinstein, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbness after a tummy tuck

Numbness after a tummy tuck can vary in resolution  time, but it will usually resolve within the first 18 months. Most patients experience permanent numbness in the area between the belly button and the incision.
Richard H. Fryer, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbness after a tummy tuck

Numbness after a tummy tuck is typically located below the belly button and above the incision. The numbness can be from either stretching or cutting of the nerves when the skin is lifted up and moved downwards. It can take up to 18 months for sensation to return. However, it is often not entirely 100%. There is some data to suggest that a liposuction abdominoplasty (where the abdominal skin is freed up with liposuction rather than simply cutting it free) spares more of the nerves and leads... more
David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Skin numbness after a tummy tuck

Since the nerves to the skin are cut during a tummy tuck, the skin across the abdomen will be numb to varying degrees after surgery. Usually there is a gradual return of sensation over the course of 6-12 months. Sometimes the sensation does not completely return.
Christa L. Clark, MD
Folsom Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbness after a tummy tuck

Numbness after a tummy tuck is usually gone after one year. In many patients the recovery will be much quicker, but one year is a good rule of thumb. 
Deason Dunagan, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbness after tummy tuck surgery is not uncommon

Numbness in a tummy tuck can be several months and in some areas can be permanent. The most common area that it could be permanent, in a full  full tummy tuck, is the area right above the scar in the center. That area has been elevated and pulled and most of the nerves there have been cut during the surgery. So it is not uncommon for patients to experience a mild amount of permanent numbness. 
Usha Rajagopal, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbness after a tummy tuck

After a tummy tuck, there is a significant recovery process. Remember that during the procedure a great deal of fat and skin was most likely removed and your muscles were adjusted as well. Initially after the surgery, patients are often surprised that they have minimal sensation at the lower part of their tummy. This sensation will return as the healing process continues and the swelling goes down and asked the small nerves in the skin repair themselves. This process may take from 4 to 12... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Return process from post-Tummy Tuck numbness may take over a year

Opa, It is common to have numbness after tummy tuck surgery. It usually returns over time from the sides to the middle. The return process may take over a year and may not be complete. In other words, there may be areas of permanent numbness, usually below the belly button in the midline. Be patient and good luck!
Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbness from Tummy Tuck is no cause for alarm

The numbness is not a complication of tummy tuck, but rather a necessary unwanted side effect, so to speak. This results from severing small sensory nerves that service skin. As you heal, sensation tends to return from the sides to the middle. Usually, the last area to get sensation back is the area between the umbilicus and the pubis. The sensation starts to return after about a month and progresses slowly from there. Initial return may be manifest by the feeling of pins & needles,... more
Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Be patient and continue your care with your plastic surgeon

Every patient undergoing a tummy tuck operation will develop altered sensation to the anatomic areas that were operated upon. Typically, the altered sensation is temporary lasting as long as a year or, sometimes, even longer. Whether the numbness you feel in the hip area is permanent, only time will tell. I would advise you to continue your care with your plastic surgeon; he knows the surgery that was performed and your anatomy the best. I hope this helps!
Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

Some numbness is permanent, but it improves over a year

Hello, You need to wait a year, and sometimes 1 1/2 years to allow sensation to return. Large areas of numbness several months after surgery are quite normal. Usually there is some persistent numbness near the belly button even after the healing is complete.
John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon
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