Could I have ruptured my sutures or would I be in pain?

Thank you for sharing your question.  Based on your narrative I would not expect that you ruptured sutures and expect your cold sensation to resolve given time.  Hang in there!

It is very unlikely that coughing and drinking water could have ruptured your sutures. I would suggest you have your plastic surgeon check on this area when you can.Congratulations and good luck!

In order to rupture sutures from coughing you would have to have pretty extreme coughing episodes. Your surgeon's office is correct that many layers of sutures are used in a tummy tuck with muscle repair. If you continue to have concerns visit with your surgeon. Your surgeon can advise you better after an exam.

Dear MD,It is very rare to tear the sutures after an abdominoplasty, but not impossible.  If you tore the sutures or they broke, you would feel pain immediately and then looseness after that.  The sensation of coldness is more of a nerve sensation and probably not related to any injury.Dr T

This is an unusual observation and one that I have not come across before. Unless you have done an unexpected movement it is very difficult to rupture the sutures although of course it is possible, It probably will only be painful if the stitches have torn through the muscle rather than rupturing the thread, as all the latter will  do is loosen the tightening of your muscles which paradoxically should probably give you relief!
If you continue to have any concerns of course you should always return to your PS for advice and reassurance.

Patient's that ruture their sutures in their abdominal muscle repair usually feel a pop, followed by pain.  This can occur after lifting more than your recommended weight restriction post surgery or after a forceful contracture of the abdominal muscles like after sustaining a fall.  It would be unusual for the sutures to rupture from simply coughing a couple of times.  I usually put 2 runs of sutures in the abdominal wall in case the first row of sutures pop, there is a back-up layer of sutures present.  The cold sensation of the upper abdomen may be simply due to the close proximity of the stomach to the abdominal wall muscles of the upper abdomen transmitting the temperature through the upper abdominal wall.  I hope this response was helpful.

I have been in practice for 22 years and have never had a patient rupture their internal sutures. This is extremely hard to do and a few coughing episodes won't do it. You are very early after surgery and you will experience all sorts of odd sensations and numbness.  Bring this up to your surgeon at your next visit, they can reassure you.Good luck