Tummy Tuck: Stories

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Uncomfortable Tightness in Abdomen After FTT

imagamom
posted 3 years ago
updated 3 years ago

Worth It
Cost: $8,000
Atlanta, GA

I had a tummy tuck in Aug 2006 to get rid of...

9 Aug 2009

I had a tummy tuck in Aug 2006 to get rid of excess skin. I am mostly pleased with the way it looks but can't stand the way it feels. I think I may have caused some of my issues. I misunderstood one of the nurse's instructions to "roll the heck out of my stomach". I thought by "heck" she meant intensity, but later found out she meant frequency. So I rolled my tummy like I was trying to get bubbles out of wallpaper for about 6 - 8 weeks.

I am numb in the midsection from ribs to belly button. I have mostly gotten used to this. I have that phantom itch that occurs periodically... I feel an itch in the numb area but get no relief from rubbing or scratching it as I can't really feel it. Whenever I move, it feels like a too-tight rubber-band.. pinches, pulls. It's not painful, but it is so aggravating and distracting. It feels like I have been punched in the stomach or recently done ab exercises. Around my belly-button there is often, but not always, a tender area. There is rarely a day that goes by that I don't "obsess" about it wishing with mixed emotions that I hadn't done this. I hate to move because it is a constant reminder of the con.

I'm thinking I may have damaged my nerves, or inhibited the healing and caused major scar tissue.

I would like to know if anyone else has had this experience. If so, were you able to make it better and how. Maybe deep tissue massage would help? Any advice or insight is appreciated.

Great review?

My Doctor: name not provided

I really like my Dr and his staff and will be discussing this with him in Sept.

Comments (2)

Lisa1 7 Sep 2009

Hi. I did not have a tummy tuck, but had a face lift with similar discomfort issues. Although I am not numb, my face chronically feels like a tight rubber band and the ears feel like I have ear muffs on. It looks great, but feels just terrible. Its been 5 months since the face lift with no relief in sight!

BluEyes 29 Aug 2009

I don't really have an answer to your question, I can only tell you that the itching you feel is the nerves growing back. It's kind of annoying but it's actually a good thing. I'm 10 months post of and most of the feelings are back, except of a small area around my belly button. Nerves grow very slowly. Not sure if your surgeon told you this but it can take up to a year for a tummy tuck to heal all the way. For some it even takes longer. I hope you get some answers to your question.