9 months post op Tummy tuck. How long do you feel numbness in the abdominal area below the belly button?

Question

First of all how long do you feel numbness in the abdominal area below the belly button? How can i distinguish if it is water retention in my abdominal area or fat accumulation? Lastly, during core/abdominal work outs is it normal for my abdominal area to remain sore even after giving that area breaks from such work outs? Thank you.

M. Scott Haydon, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and congratulations on your surgery. The numbness that you are describing in that particular distribution is very normal. It may not ever return to the same level of sensation that you had preoperatively in this specific area. After a full year out there is still a chance to get some more return, but most of it has occurred by then. Regarding the fluid, swelling with workouts, there is some diminished tone to the skin and even muscle initially. This too improves with time. Your surgeon would have to look at it to be completely sure. You should however keep up your fitness. Everything you do to help strengthen and tone the muscles will improve your result. Best of Luck!

Vijay K. Bindingnavele, MD, FACS · Answer

The numbness should continually improve for the first few months, gradually returning.  Water retention in your abdominal area will be noticed by your surgeon and will occur after the drains are removed.  If it suddenly swells, then a collection of water or a serum can be the cause.  And it is normal for the abdominal area to remain sore after core workouts.  It takes some weeks to months to return to normal and even after that it will be more sore than it was before surgery.

John Dean, MD · Answer

This is a common side effect of tummy tuck and can persist for months to years.  Typically the area of numbness slowly goes away and usually only bothers patients when they lean against a counter top and then the area of the brain that monitors that area reminds you that the sensation has not returned.  The more aggressive the tummy tuck, the longer it may take.

Scott E. Kasden, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Nana23gurlsThe numbness you are experiencing is not a complication but rather a side effect that always happens with tummy tuck.  Sensation usually starts to return about a month after surgery from the flanks and ribs and works its way down and toward the middle.  The advancing front of sensation moves at about 1" per month.  It may take a few years for full recovery of WHAT YOU WILL RECOVER.  Some people get nearly full return, while some only get patchy return of sensation.Regarding second question, this requires an exam.Finally, the pain is normal after this big operation, and will take months to go away.Best to you.sek

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

Some numbness always persists after a tummy tuck.Fluid retention fluctuates while fat accumulation never goes away.Some soreness after workout is normal in everyone.

Pedro M. Soler, Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for the questions.  The numbness you describe can be present for up to 24 months after surgery. The soreness of the abdominal area during exercise is normal. Full healing will take a year to occur. It may take even longer for the scar tissue that has been deposited to stretch out and feel normal again. In terms of distinguishing between fluid accumulation and fat, this will require an in-person examination. I hope this helps. Best wishes.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, Nana23gurls.  1) Feeling numbness in the lower abdomen is normal after surgery. It may take up to 1-2 years to get your feeling back slowly.2) Although in-person examination will be needed to differentiate between seroma and fat, excess fat will be softer and does not have fluid wave. Please visit your plastic surgeon if you have concern about fat vs. seroma.3) After tummy tuck, it is normal to feel tightness/soreness after work outs.  It will relax over time.

Thomas Guillot, MD (retired) · Answer

In the process of the tummy tuck operation many nerves are cut and thus sensation will lag behind. Usually the sensation will return albeit it may take many months to return.  It also may not be as originally perceived. There can be additional muscle soreness due to tearing of sutures or sdar tissue.

9 months post op Tummy tuck. How long do you feel numbness in the abdominal area below the belly button?

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