Does numbness in Tummy Tuck scar go away over time?

Question

I'm very concerned about the numbness in the scar or loss of feelings in new skin. I think it's not uncommon for the TT patients to have numbness in scar. But one of them says the numbness would be forever but she could be wrong. I remember feeling numb in the very little scar on my finger from accident when I would rub until it took at least five years and no more numbness. Does it happen with different scars than tummy tuck? Can they have full feelings back in tummy tuck like before surgery?

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.
Every patient experience is different.  You may have numbness for a prolonged period of time, you may always have numbness, or it may improve over time. I suggest contacting your surgeon with any questions or concerns. Best of luck!

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question. It is not uncommon to have numbness from the belly button down to your tummy tuck scar in a triangular shaped area after surgery.  Although this improves in most patients to the same level of sensation as before surgery, it is possible to have permanent numbness.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Changes in sensation are common during the healing phase from a tummy tuck.  This will typically improve over the next year as tissues heal and swelling resolves.  If after a year you still have numbness with no improvement, the change is more likely to be permanent.

John LoMonaco, MD, FACS · Answer

Numbness directly on the scar of many TT can be permanent.  Not only that, there is often an area of numbness from the belly button down to the scar that has numbness or decreased feeling for a long time, sometimes even permanently.

Much of the numbness depends on the amount of skin being removed and the extent of the surgery, so be sure and ask your surgeon for specifics regarding your exact case.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Optimistic237718,
numbness is very common. It depends on the operation but often times sensation can return in a couple of weeks, a year, or not at all. Skin sensation itself is very important and can sometimes be lost with surgery. This is often mentioned in the risks of the consent process. 
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

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