I still feel numbness around my scar 3 and half years after my tummy tuck. Is that normal?

Question

Especially in just one spot, more than the other. I can't feel almost anything around this spot

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

Thank
you very much for your question. As the Tummy Tuck is a surgical procedure,
there is always a chance for nerve damage and long-lasting numbness. Most
patients will experience small areas of numbness that slowly improve over time,
as the swelling diminishes, over the next six to twelve months. However, a
small number will have some permanent numbness. At three years post-op, the
numbness you are experiencing will not likely change.
If you have any further concerns, however, I recommend reaching out to your
operating surgeon, or scheduling a consultation with a board certified plastic
surgeon in your area.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  Numbness in the area that has been operated in is expected for a period of weeks to months. However, sensation slowly returns, as the neuropraxia resolves towards the incision, which could take up to a year. If after that time numbness still is evident, it is unlikely to return. However, attempts at reeducation of the nerves sometimes ameliorates this - you could try using various textures to the area (e.g., massage, towel, loofah, washcloth, etc.). Hope that this helps!

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Sometimes an area of numbness can be permanent after a tummy tuck procedure. If this occurs, it is usually a silver dollar sized area just above the incision in the central portion. Given the fact that it's been three and half years, don't expect that this will improve significantly.

Amy T. Bandy, DO, FACS · Answer

Anytime there is an incision, a scar will result from the incision.  Typically, the scar itself will never have normal sensation, and often times will be completely insensate or numb.  With an abdominoplasty, not only will the scar be numb, but typically the area of skin below the belly button in the central 1/3 of the abdomen will be permanently numb, this also happens with a C-section.  Some people do have more sensation return than others; what you are describing sounds consistent with the surgery that you had and is completely normal.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Having some numbness around the incision is very common after a tummy tuck. Sometimes this sensation returns with time but often there are small areas which remain numb. If it has been 3.5 years since your procedure and the sensation has not returned, then I suggest that this numbness is going to be permanent. Hope this helps!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Sauvage123,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. This is often mentioned in the risks of the consent process. I imagine your numbness is permanent since there was no improvement 3.5 years after the surgery.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

David Boudreault, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Sauvage123,
Thank you for your question.  This is a question I get frequently in clinic and certainly a very common issue after an abdominoplasty.  I usually tell my patients that they will have some numbness or change in sensation to their abdomen indefinitely, but that the majority of the improvement will occur within 1 year of surgery.  At 3.5 years out from your surgery, you will not likely get return of feeling, but likely your body will become accustom to the new sensations and it won't be some bothersome.
I hope that helps.
Best,
Dr. B

David A. Sieber, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the great question. Permanent numbness after a tummy tuck can happen. Some patients will have complete recovery of sensation while others may still have a small area with residual numbness. It is common to have some sort of sensory changes immediately after surgery, but these typically improve with time. Best of luck!~Dr. Sieber

Talmage J. Raine, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Normal can vary a great deal. It is not unheard of to have some residual numbness after a tummy tuck. Most of the feeling comes back. This is not a pathologic condition. All the best,Talmage Raine MD

I still feel numbness around my scar 3 and half years after my tummy tuck. Is that normal?

Answers (9)

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