I am 5 weeks post op from tummy tuck and have electrocuting shock pain. Is this normal?

Question

I am 5 weeks post op and have the feeling of touching a hot fence on my left sde starting at my hip and running down about 8 inches of my left leg. Just walking is painful and daily task such as putting on underwear is crippling nerve pain. The ps put me on gabapentin but it does nothing. Is this normal? Will this resolve on its own? Is there anything I can do or take to help with this pain?

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your discomfort.  It sounds like you have nerve irritation from the operation. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve runs in that area and can be irritated after surgery.  This should subside but if it is considerably irritating then there are done medications that may help.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

What you are describing may be an irritation of a nerve running from the abdominal wall to the thigh. It may take a few days for the gabapentin to have an effect. Also, ask your surgeon if you can slowly increase the dose. If this does not resolve, your surgeon may consider exploring the nerve and free up any scar tissue.

I am 5 weeks post op from tummy tuck and have electrocuting shock pain. Is this normal?

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