Numb Thigh After Tummy Tuck Surgery

Nerves are tricky things. The area you are describing is supplied by the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Several things could be occurring - irritation, entrapment, injury, neuropraxia, etc. Most of the time nerve issues resolve with time - months and years. Occasionally, there is an intervention that can release the nerve from entrapment. You should discuss these issues with your doctor.

This sounds like an interference with the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Nerve injuries can take one to two years to resolve. Sometimes, you get an 'electirc shock' by tapping at your groin crease. When this goes away, the nerve will grow back. Usually, the good appearance of the abdomen outweighs the decreased sensation.

As Dr. Shafer has described there are several possible explanations for the reported numbness. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve lies close to the incision particularly if a low lying incision is used. Nerves can be bruised, injured, entrapped, transected, etc. In many instances this will resolve but it may take time. Occasionally the recovery of a nerve can be traced using the "Tinel's sign" which is tingling elicited by tapping over the regenerating end of the nerve.... more

Sensory changes are fairly common after a tummy tuck. If you have numbness on the thigh especially laterally it may or may not be permanent.  You really have to give it about a year.

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. Patients who received the surgery should understand that there is a significant recovery process afterwards. Patients can expect to have swelling and bruising and a short period of numbness in their abdominal tissue. However, numbness in the thigh is unusual. Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon as they will want to evaluate you and determine the area that is affected area it is possible that a cutaneous... more