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?

4 answers to “How long after tummy tuck does pain...”

A: Pain after a tummy tuck

Richard P. Rand, MD

 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.

A: Tummy tuck pain can last longer than two weeks

Elizabeth S. Lee, MD

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... more

A: Probably normal for a non pain pump case

John P. Di Saia, MD

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... more

A: Abdominal pain and nerve recovery after Tummy Tuck

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

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... more

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