Is is Normal to Have Blood in my Urine After Tummy Tuck?

Question

I'm 7 days post op from a mommy make over (TT BL BA) and so far everything has been going good with healing. This morning however, I woke up with my right pinky finger numb as well as a small part of the right side of my hand numb. When I went to the bathroom twice this morning I noticed a few drops of blood in my urine each time. I don't have any abnormal pain and it doesn't appear I am unusually swollen anywhere. Is this normal?

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

It’s not normal to have blood in your urine following mommy
makeover surgery. In some cases this may be related to catheter placement,
while in other cases it might be related to urinary tract infections.  Either way bloody urine should be
investigated further and in some cases may require a urology consult as well.
When these steps are taken the cause of the problem can be determined and
appropriate treatment instituted.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

This sounds very unusual. I suggest you notify your plastic surgeon. Please tell them about the numbness in your hand as well.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Blood in urine is likely the result of catheter placement and trauma associated with it.  Very rarely does this not resolve on its own.  A urology consult may be obtained if persistent.

Jeffrey Rockmore, MD · Answer

Blood in your urine after this type of surgery would not be considered to be a normal part of your recovery. There are a variety of potential causes, most of which are easily treated. These would include irritation from the catheter if used during surgery, a urinary tract infection, or urethral irritation from a garment. I would suggest contacting your plastic surgeon immediately to discuss this.

	As for the hand numbness, this is likely positional and should resolve on its own. However, I would discuss this with your plastic surgeon as well.

	Best of luck with your recovery. Hang in there.

	Jeff Rockmore

Steven M. Lynch, MD · Answer

No, this is not normal.  If you had a catheter, you might see some blood in the urine in the first day after surgery or so.  It should not appear a week later.  You must point this out to  your doctor.  Sometimes a urinary tract infection can give you this but no assumptions can be made without the input of your doctors/urologist etc. 

	 The hand numbness might be related to the way you slept but it should not be related to your mommy makeover especially with you being a week out from your surgery.

	  See your doctor for both of these issues.  Do not consider them normal until your doctors establish that your are medically okay.

Is is Normal to Have Blood in my Urine After Tummy Tuck?

Answers (5)