Scar and Stomach Concern After Tummy Tuck

Hi, this is very common and very normal after tummy tuck surgery. The small nerves to the abdominal skin are cut during surgery, which leaves you with that "cardboard" sensation. It may take many months for this to return, and in most cases it comes back completely. You'll notice that the sides of the abdomen recover first, and then the middle will be the last to come back. Your belly button therefore will remain numb the longest. Be patient and follow any advice your surgeon... more

Numbness is normal especially below your belly button for several months. This will improve on its own. There is no need to massage your abdomen or your scar. I would suggest leaving everything alone so that the inflammation can settle down sooner. You will then feel better sooner. Massaging an area that just had surgery will only prolong the inflammation and prolong your recovery. It will not help your scar.

At this early point in your recovery, it is normal to have numbness and hypersensitivity issues in the lower abdomen. Some patients aren't so bothered by them and they actually enjoy the feeling of massaging the tissues and the scar. Others find the whole prospect impossible. So, relax and give it some time. There is no evidence that the massage will make the result significantly better, so don't do it if you aren't comfortable. Or you might consider recruiting a S.O. into the process... more

Mariela: It would be normal after abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to have complete numbness in the lowest central portion of the abdomen. In a wider area above and beside that, you would normally have partial numbness, tingling or other unusual sensations. Fortunately, much of that goes away over the next several months and I suspect you'll be very pleased with the result. But it takes time... In my practice, we typically recommend touch or light massage to desensitize the healing nerve areas. W more

As others have pointed out, this is to be expected. Don't be upset, it will get better. Wear a good compression garment, that will help the scar, swelling, and may even diminish the need you feel to massage your abdominal skin.

Okay, three weeks is way too early to be doing anything with your stomach. I'm sure you're still very tender. There is no proof that massaging scars or the stomach does anything to improve the outcome. Next the numbness you're having will last for several months. In fact on very rare occasions numbness may persist in the central abdomen below the belly button permanently. The numbness is good in that you would be in significant pain if you weren't numb. If you still have issues after 6... more

It is perfectly normal to have numbness that early after a tummy tuck. If you are worried about the scar due to any previous scarring history, you can use silicone sheet or even tape. Best of luck!

It is very normal to lose sensation in the lower abdomen especially below the umbilicus following abdominoplasty. Occasionally this can develop inot hypersensitivity and it is useful to perform desensitization excercises by massaging the area. In most instances, you will see a significant return of sensation over time.