How Long After Tummy Tuck Does Pain and Soreness Usually Last?

I had a tummy tuck 2 weeks ago. The pain and soreness I feel at the top of my belly just below my chest is the most tender pain in the world. Is this normal?

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by missbeleve in New York

Doctor Answers (7)
Community Comments (2)

Tummy tuck pain can last longer than two weeks

The pain you are feeling is probably normal. Remember that the surgery extended from the low incision all the way up to your ribs. If you had a tightening of your abdominal muscles called a rectus plication, that procedure extended from the breast bone all the way down to your pelvis. The area around your incision is probably more numb than the skin in the upper part of your belly. This to is normal, but may explain why the upper part hurts more; you have more sensation in that area... more

Abdominal pain and nerve recovery after Tummy Tuck

This is not at all uncommon. When looking at your belly, you see the incision and everbody expects the pain to be down low. Quite the opposite is true due to several factors. The lower abdomen is actually numb due to the surgical "lifting" of the tissues. However, the nerves of the upper abodmen are relatively more intact making the upper abdomen feel more painful than the lower. The pain in the upper abdomen is usually due to the uppermost repair of the rectus muscles. This will... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck soreness can usually last between one and four weeks

Tummy Tuck pain and soreness lasts between one and four weeks. It depends upon so many factors that generalizations are hard to go on. I have had patients go out walking the very next day, and other's still walking hunched-over a month later. The factors include: The patient's individual pain tolerance, The patient's motivation to get better, The extent of the procedure, the age of the patient, the weight of the patient, and how fit the patient was before surgery. ... more

Recovery process after a tummy tuck

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective method to contour the abdomen. Patients undergoing this procedure should understand that there is a significant recovery process. In our practice, we routinely give patients to separate garments to help them manage the swelling and provide support to increase their comfort. Two weeks after your surgery, it is normal to feel discomfort in this area. Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon and asked if a supportive garment would help... more

Tummy tuck pain

Upper abdominal discomfort after a tummy tuck is common during the first few weeks after surgery. This is most likely secondary to the plication of the muscles.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Pain after a tummy tuck

The muscle tightening in the upper abdomen is what is causing the pain. This is because your ribs make the area tighter and because you are less numb there than in the lower abdomen. This will improve over the next 4 weeks.

Probably normal for a non pain pump case

Hello, This is the location of the top of your muscular repair. That is the area where things tend to hurt the most after a tummy tuck. It is also the position where a pain pump catheter can really help things. I usually place them at the time of surgery to help control the pain afterward. The pain gets better slowly, but you should be seeing your doctor who may have specific recommendations for your case.

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Comments (2)

andil125 11 May 2013

I had a tummy tuck and muscle reattachment surgery a year ago and still feel pain, mostly around my new belly button. There is also something that kind of flares up and hurts to the lower left of my belly button. Anyone else have pain for this long afterwards?