Back Pain and Numbness After Tummy Tuck and Thigh Liposuction

Question

I had a tummy tuck and lipo of the back sides and inner thighs. My legs have gone down a lot and still have a little bit of pain, but my lower back feels hard and hurts. My back is also numb 2 weeks after the lipo and tuck. Is that normal?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding the symptoms you're experiencing following your tummy tuck and liposuction on your back, sides, and inner thighs. It's not uncommon to have various sensations, including pain and numbness, during the recovery phase of these procedures.

Pain and Hardness in the Lower Back:
Experiencing pain and a sensation of hardness in your lower back following liposuction is relatively common. The hardness typically results from inflammation and the normal healing response, which can involve some fluid accumulation and temporary fibrosis (scar tissue formation). This should gradually improve as your body continues to heal and the inflammation subsides.

Numbness:
Numbness can occur due to the disruption of sensory nerves in the areas treated with liposuction or from the surgical trauma of a tummy tuck. In most cases, this numbness is temporary. Nerve endings need time to regenerate, or in some cases, adapt to the changes post-surgery. Recovery of sensation can vary widely from person to person and might take several weeks to months.

Managing Symptoms:

Compression Garments: Continue wearing compression garments as advised by your surgeon. These help reduce swelling, support your back, and can enhance the healing process.
Gentle Movement: Engage in light activities as recommended. Walking and gentle movements can improve circulation and help reduce pain and stiffness.
Pain Management: Use medications as prescribed by your plastic surgeon to manage pain effectively.
Follow-Up Appointments: Keep your follow-up appointments so your surgeon can monitor your recovery. Reporting these symptoms is crucial so they can assess whether your experience is within the normal range of recovery or if additional interventions are needed.
If the pain, hardness, or numbness worsens or doesn't gradually begin to improve, it's important to contact your plastic surgeon. While most symptoms are a normal part of the healing process, they can also signal the need for a modified approach to your post-operative care.

When to Seek Immediate Help:
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe pain, signs of infection (such as redness, fever, or discharge from the incision sites), or any severe swelling, as these can be signs of complications that need prompt treatment.

Your recovery journey is unique, and it’s important to stay in close communication with your surgeon throughout the process to ensure the best outcomes.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic Surgeon

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

You are stil quite early after the tummy tuck and lipo. It is normal to be numb for many months. The firmness typically remains and actually increases for up to 6 weeks after surgery before softening. This is a normal process of wound healing and is called scar proliferation and maturation.
I would not be concerned for now unless this persists.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Thank you for your post. In a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty surgery, the tissue above the abdominal muscles is lifted off of the muscles from the lower scar to the ribs in a full tummy tuck and to the umbilicus in a mini tummy tuck. The superficial nerves that travel through the muscle to the skin are cut in order to do this. This is what causes the numbness afterward. The numbness usually extends in the entire area that was lifted up. On occasion, a superficial nerve to the thigh could be pulled causing numbness in this area as well. Swelling happens after surgery and also tends to be in the entire area that has been lifted up and any area that has received liposuction. Both numbness and swelling may take months to years to go away, and the last place for both to go away is the area right above the incision centrally, and sometimes right below the belly button. It may take up to 2 years to get to baseline sensation. sometimes, certain areas never feel totally normal, especially the area right above the incision centrally. If tingling or itchiness develop, that is a sign that the nerves are growing back. This is normally well tolerated, but occasionally, a nerve type pain medication is needed such as neurontin. Best Wishes, Pablo Prichard, MD

George J. Beraka, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi.

	Nothing that you are describing sounds worrisome, but see your plastic surgeon anyway, now and two weeks from now, to make sure you are progressing.

	Lymphatic drainage massage can help a lot to speed recovery.

John Ward, MD (retired) · Answer

It is very normal to be numb in the tummy area especially this close after your operating date.  When we operate in this area many nerve endings are cut and then it takes time for them to regenerate and sometimes the numbness never fully comes back in some areas of the tummy.  If you have a tummy garment which I normally provide to the patient it really helps with supporting your back for weeks after tummy surgery.  You could also purchase a supportive panty girdle and wear it to help with back pain.  As your normal activity increases you should be feeling better and the numbness will hopefully go away.  Hope you feel better soon.

Back Pain and Numbness After Tummy Tuck and Thigh Liposuction

Answers (5)

Answer: Temporary firmness and numbness normal after liposuction.

Answer: Temporary firmness and numbness normal after liposuction.

Answer: Tummy Tuck back pain and numbness

Answer: Tummy Tuck back pain and numbness

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Back Pain and Numbness After Tummy Tuck and Thigh Liposuction

Answers (5)

Answer: Temporary firmness and numbness normal after liposuction.

Answer: Temporary firmness and numbness normal after liposuction.

Answer: Tummy Tuck back pain and numbness

Answer: Tummy Tuck back pain and numbness

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