Hip pain/spasms after tummy tuck and can't sleep? What could cause this and does anyone have suggestions for relief and sleep?

I'm so glad to hear that you are happy with the results of your tummy tuck.  Generally, when that is the case, these kinds of things you are describing are self-limited and resolve eventually.  I know that doesn't exactly help you right now, as this is very uncomfortable.  The problem here is that the term "hip" can mean a lot of things to a lot of people.  Also the word "spasms" can as well.  For instance, some people think of the "hip" as the area just above and lateral to the buttock, while some will think of it more in terms of the "hip bone" part of the lateral pelvis, and others will take it literally to mean the hip joint, such that pain there usually manisfests itself as groin pain.  So, to accurately answer your question, we would need some more specific information.  As far as spasms go, while we classically think of that term applied to muscles with uncontrollable or involuntary painful contractions, many people use it to simply describe waxing and waning pain of any type.  Given all of this, I think the best thing to do is make a call to your surgeon's office and ask for a quick evaluation by the surgeon, not the MA.  Usually we can figure out what is going on if we do a quick exam and see you in person.  If it is truly spasms, this can be from the extreme and sudden changes in musculoskeletal positioning that often accompany a tummy tuck temporarily, and we might add some kind of muscle relaxing medication, like Soma or valium, onto the regimen for a brief period.  Medications like Mobic, Tylenol, and even the narcotics are straight pain relievers (although Mobic is also an anti-inflammatory medication too), and they may not have the same effect at relaxing tight and spasming muscles.  Sometimes, we can see spasms in the back which can press on nerve roots in the spine, creating pains in the lower extremities, even though the problem isn't directly in the lower extremities.   So, you see that there are a lot of variables involved, and it would be difficult for us to accurately answer your question in this setting.  Your surgeon will be best equipped to evaluate this and suggest management options at this point.  Best of luck to you.

Congratulations on your surgery! I encourage you to visit with your surgeon for an examination. While the symptoms you mentioned are usually temporary, there is medication that can help you get through this phase. Your surgeon may prescribe muscle relaxers which can help with the muscle spasms. They often also have a sedating effect.

Congratulations on your tummy tuck. While the muscle spasms will resolve on their own in time, you will likely benefit from a prescribed muscle relaxer to help ease these spasms. Contact your operating surgeon for an in-person evaluation. Best wishes.Karen Singer, M.D., P.A.Harvard GraduateBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Thank you for your question.I would schedule an appointment with your surgeon for an in person examination to determine the cause of this. They may prescribe you a muscle relaxer such as Valium, to help with the muscle spasms. Best of luck in your recovery.Sincerely,

James Fernau, MD, FACSBoard Certified ENTBoard Certified Plastic SurgeryMember of ASPS, ASAPS, ISAPS, The Rhinoplasty Society, AAFPRS, OTO/HNS, ASLMS, International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics & Science