No feeling in my stomach after abdominoplasty

Question

Hi, I had a abdominalplasty 10 days out now. I don’t have feeling in my stomach, it’s kinda numb, which is such a weird feeling. It actually makes me nauseas when I remove my garment to shower (cannot wait to get my garment back on! ). I’m one of those people that gets sick at the sight of blood....could NEVER do what you do!

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

Based on my own experience, the numbness will remain in certain areas forever, like very close to the incision.The top of abdomen will start recuperating the sensibility over the weeks-months coming, but mainly below the belly button will remain with certain degree of numbness. Be encouraged.Dr. Cardenas

Peter D. Geldner, MD · Answer

Numbness after abdominoplasty is actually expected. When we raise the soft tissues above the body wall, the sensory nerves get stretched or divided. No way to avoid it. The good news is that many of these nerves reconnect and sensation becomes more normal over time. The return is largely dependent on how much of the tissue we separate and how tightly we pull the skin. Many patients however remain numb from about the level of the umbilicus (belly button) to the incision even years later. It has no functional importance, but it can feel strange. The only potential deficit is that you might not feel an insect bite or sunburn in the numb area, so some caution is a good idea. As far as our (plastic surgeon's) ability to do what we do without getting squeamish, it's a learned trait. Paper cuts can still make me uncomfortable if I'm not expecting it.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the tummy tuck procedure. When a tummy tuck operation is performed, many of the nerves, veins and lymphatic channels that normally serve the abdominal wall are divided (severed).   After the procedure, the abdominal wall swells because these channels are not functioning.   Loss of sensation is normal and may persist for several months.  Occasionally, patients may have patches of permanent numbness surgery. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with longer-term.

Ian Lonergan, DO - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and Thanks for the question.  It is quite common to have numbness of the abdomen after a tummy tuck, especially at only 10 days Post-Op.  The numbness usually slowly improves and recovers although this process can take quite some time and is gradual.  You should notice the sensation slowly return as you recover from your procedure over the next several months.  Best of Luck!

No feeling in my stomach after abdominoplasty

Answers (4)

Answer: Numbness Of The Abdomen After Tummy Tuck

Answer: Numbness Of The Abdomen After Tummy Tuck

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

No feeling in my stomach after abdominoplasty

Answers (4)

Answer: Numbness Of The Abdomen After Tummy Tuck

Answer: Numbness Of The Abdomen After Tummy Tuck

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.