28 yo with painful, tight erection 1.5 weeks post op. Is it due to swelling, or is skin too tight? (Photo)

Question

I had an mini tummy tuck 1.5 weeks ago with a drain placed one inch above the base of my penis that was just taken out. When I get an erection and direct it slightly downward, I can feel the skin pull into my abdomen. The skin directly at the base of my penis becomes tight and lifts as if there is not enough there and is painful. Is this due to swelling from lipo in the pubic area or is it possible the skin was pulled too tight? (I am stretching my penis in the picture to simulate an erection)

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding a painful, tight erection 1.5 weeks post-op a mini-tummy tuck, and whether the pain in the penis is due to swelling or if the skin is too tight.  Thank you for your history and your pictures.  Ten days after a mini tummy tuck is too early to determine anything.  Especially when liposuction is involved, it takes a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks for the swelling to disappear after liposuction.  In some patients, liposuction swelling takes longer to dissipate.  In addition, if you had a surgical procedure with a drain, the swelling may remain longer.  Swelling after a mini-tummy tuck and liposuction can accumulate in the suprapubic or FUPA region.  This swelling can lead to pain in the penis and the scrotum.  You must follow up with your plastic surgeon.  However, in almost all cases, the symptoms you describe go away with time as the swelling dissipates.  Ways to decrease the swelling should be discussed with your plastic surgeon.  In general, swelling of the scrotum can be minimized by elevation, compression, anti-inflammatories, and ice.  Elevation can be achieved by keeping your legs together and placing the penis and scrotum above the inner thighs.  Additionally, athletic supporters and compression garments can be used to decrease edema or sweling of the scrotum and penis after a mini-tummy tuck.  Another way to decrease the swelling in the pennis and scrotum is by applying ice or frozen peas.  You must check with your plastic surgeon whether these modalities are acceptable.  Some plastic surgeons do not recommend using ice due to vasoconstrictive properties, leading to poor tissue oxygenation and the risk of frostbite.  Therefore, you need to follow up with your plastic surgeon.  Thank you for your question regarding regarding painful, tight erection 1.5 weeks post-op, and whether it is due to swelling or if the skin is too tight.  Good luck.  I hope this information helps you find answers regarding your tummy tuck or abdominoplasty.  If you have additional questions regarding tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, please get in touch with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.  Since the tummy tuck is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the tummy tuck.  Do your research.  Ensure they have performed at least 150 tummy tuck surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.   If you cannot find an experienced, lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.  (Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Frederick W. Ehret, MD · Answer

I doubt that your symptoms are due to too much skin being removed. Mostly likely your symptoms arouse because at a week and a half out, there is still a lot of swelling plus early scar tissue from the drain tract and tummy tuck. I suspect this will get better with time; at least several more weeks. Some massage at the scar sites, drain and tummy tuck will likely speed up the recovery process.

28 yo with painful, tight erection 1.5 weeks post op. Is it due to swelling, or is skin too tight? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Male Tummy Tuck

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28 yo with painful, tight erection 1.5 weeks post op. Is it due to swelling, or is skin too tight? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Male Tummy Tuck

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