Could my nerve that controls my bowels be damaged from tummy tuck?

Hello Tasteful637424. Thank you for your question regarding the severe pain and bowel immotility you’ve been experiencing since your tummy tuck.

While it’s uncommon, it is possible for a tummy tuck to affect nerves in a way that could influence bowel function. During a tummy tuck, the abdominal muscles are tightened, and excess skin and fat are removed. This procedure can involve manipulation of the nerves that supply the abdominal wall. Although the nerves directly responsible for bowel function are located deeper and are usually not affected by a tummy tuck, indirect effects could potentially contribute to your symptoms.

For example, if the procedure caused significant scar tissue or adhesions within the abdominal cavity, this could potentially affect the movement of your intestines, leading to symptoms like pain and bowel immotility. Scar tissue can sometimes impinge on nerves, leading to pain that feels like the area is being tightly bound, as you described.

Another possibility is that the nerve supplying the abdominal wall was irritated or damaged during surgery. This could cause pain, but it’s less likely to directly affect bowel motility since the nerves responsible for controlling bowel movements are usually deeper and separate from those affected by a tummy tuck.

However, given the severity of your symptoms and the fact that imaging studies have not revealed any obvious organ problems, it is crucial to explore all potential causes. I strongly recommend consulting with a gastroenterologist or a neurologist who can assess whether nerve damage might be playing a role in your symptoms. They might suggest nerve conduction studies or additional imaging to get a clearer picture of what might be going on.

It’s important to get a thorough evaluation so that you can find relief from these troubling symptoms. I hope this helps provide some direction for your next steps.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

It is very unlikely that your tuck has anything to do with your bowel movements. The tuck was done on top of your muscles, and your intestines are all deep to your muscles. Go see a gastroenterologist and be checked for food allergies. You have something else going on internally.

I'm sorry to hear of the issues you are experiencing. They are not likely related to your tummy tuck as the procedure does not open your abdominal cavity. A GI specialist would be recommended for follow up.