Is It Normal to Feel a Pinching Sensation After Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?

Question

I had a Tummy Tuck with Liposuction two months ago and I am now feeling a pinching sensation only on my left side. It feels like a needle being stuck on me, and it happens every so often, especially when I'm outside. My surgeon said it might be the veins reattaching themselves, but it scares me that it's only on my left side. Is this normal? What could be causing it?

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

There are going to be many new sensations you will experience after tummy tuck/liposuction procedure. Pinching is one of them, itching, numbness, and tingling; you may also experience random sharp “electric shocks” probably also classified as pinching. Thankfully this is temporary and everything will eventually subside. The most important thing is to follow your doctor’s postoperative instructions and be a little patient.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Miesha923, thank you for your question regarding the pinching sensation after your tummy tuck and liposuction. Experiencing a pinching sensation after a tummy tuck and liposuction is not uncommon, especially during the healing process. The sensation you are feeling could be due to the nerves and tissues healing and reattaching, which can sometimes cause sharp or pinching sensations. This is part of the normal healing process as your body recovers from surgery.

It's also possible that the sensation is due to scar tissue formation, which can create tight or pinching feelings as it develops. The fact that you are experiencing this sensation only on your left side could be due to asymmetrical healing or varying levels of nerve sensitivity in different areas.

If the sensation persists or worsens, it is important to follow up with your plastic surgeon to ensure that there are no complications. They can perform a thorough examination and provide specific advice tailored to your situation. It's always best to err on the side of caution and seek professional guidance to address any concerns you may have during your recovery.

Good luck with your healing process. I hope this helps answer your question regarding the pinching sensation after your tummy tuck and liposuction.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

It’s not
unusual for patients to have pain following abdominoplasty surgery.In the majority of patients this pain has
resolved within 4 to 6 weeks of the procedure.Occasionally, patients have atypical
pain patterns.In your case you’ve
developed an intermittent sharp stabbing pain that has become progressive.These findings are consistent with irritation
of the sensory nerves along your left flank.. in most cases this type of
problem improves with conservative management and the passage of time.Under these circumstances,
consultation with your plastic surgeon is appropriate.When progress is slow, non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory agents may be helpful.Examples include Motrin, Aleve and Ibuprofen to name a few.When this type of pain is persistent
and doesn’t respond to these maneuvers, consultation with a pain specialist is
appropriate.Depending upon the results
of this evaluation, a variety of treatment options are available.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  Numbness after any surgical 
procedure is expected for several weeks to months following.  As the 
nerves to the area are traumatized and will then experience a temporary 
neuropraxia, a transient loss of nerve conduction.  This usually 
resolves over the next 6-12 weeks, but depending on the procedure 
performed, sometimes much longer.  Typically this should resolve by 1 
year.  As it goes past this date, the likelihood of the sensation 
returning is small.  However, it can take up to 2 years.  If no return 
from there, it is unlikely to return.  It should be discussed that 
persistent sensory changes may develop following any surgical 
procedure.  The usual signs of the nerves regenerating and neuropraxia
 resolving is itching, followed by a burning sensation and then 
occasional sharp, shock-like pains.  These will be normal to experience,
 and actually a promising sign.  Usually, normal sensation returns, but 
is is also possible to have decreased sensation or even increased 
sensation to the areas affected.  Re-educating nerves postoperatively is
 often helpful and will allow proper instruction for the affected 
sensory nerves - methods include using different textures to the 
affected areas when showering, bathing, applying lotion, etc.  If 
bothersome, there are some medications that may be helpful, including 
Neurontin for pain for hypersensitivity.  You can try various textures 
such as washcloths, loofahs, cotton sheets, etc.  Massaging the areas is
 also beneficial for the incision to make the finest scar possible.  The
 last place to regain the sensation will be directly adjacent to the 
incision/scar as the nerves will make its way from the periphery to this
 location.  If continual pain arises, evaluation is warranted.  After 
ruling out other causes, one rare explanation may be that a neuroma has 
developed and may require surgical excision.  This is very unlikely 
unless a large sensory nerve has been transected inadvertently during 
the procedure.  Hope that this helps!  Best wishes!

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

After any operation, as sensibility returns to the affected area, strange sensations may occur. It might be pain, itching, tightening, etc. Over time, these decrease in frequency, intensity, and duration. Keep you scheduled appointments with you surgeon so he can monitor your progress, but what you are experiencing is quite common.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

The postoperative recovery for abdominoplasty procedures occurs immediately after surgery. As the nerves begin to reinnervate their respective areas on the abdominal wall, patients may begin to experience sensations that may be painful at first but may then subside with time. At all times, keep a close dialogue with your surgeon.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

There are all excellent answers below which explain the most likely causes of pain. Only after exhausting the preceding recommendations would I suggest the following:
I have observed that:

Early keloid (raised) scars can cause a needle like sensation. So be on the lookout. This can be managed with steroid injections.

There are two other comments I would like to make that are based on personal experience.

I used to use permanent sutures in the deep layer to minimize spreading of the scar but I had one patient who experienced sharp sensation in the vicinity of the stitch. It was a very localized sensation that could be pinpointed by the patient using her finger tip that caused a shooting type pain. I opened the wound (small incision) in the scar removed the suture and relieved the patients pain.
I had one other patient who experienced a sharp tingling sensation in a very dicrete area which we could reproduce by tapping the area. I presumed this to be a neuroma ( raw cut end of a nerve which becomes sensitive). Although I could not identify the neuroma itself I excised the area with subsequent relief.

Sean Younai, MD, FACS · Answer

as the feeling over the abdomen starts to return after tummy tuck, all patients start to experience the sensation of pin prickes, or jabbing, or twitches. this is a very normal and expected feeling which will gradually go away over the next six months.
Massaging these areas and keeping them moisterized, helps to make it feel better and less sensitive.
yours,
Sean Younai, MD, www.beautifulself.com

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Miesha,
I think your surgeon may have meant to say the nerves re-attaching themselves.  During abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and liposuction, the tissue planes are dissected and divided.
Often there are small sensory nerves crossing through these areas, which need to be divided as part of the surgery.  Over the next few months as the tissue is healing the little nerve endings find there way back in place.
Other, less likely alternatives include a seroma (fluid collection) irritating the nerves or causing pressure or nerve entrapment.  You should improve over time, but you should follow-up closely with your surgeon.
I hope this is helpful.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Thank you for your post. In a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty surgery, the tissue above the abdominal muscles is lifted off of the muscles from the lower scar to the ribs in a full tummy tuck and to the umbilicus in a mini tummy tuck. The superficial nerves that travel through the muscle to the skin are cut in order to do this. This is what causes the numbness afterward. The numbness usually extends in the entire area that was lifted up. On occasion, a superficial nerve to the thigh could be pulled causing numbness in this area as well. Swelling happens after surgery and also tends to be in the entire area that has been lifted up and any area that has received liposuction. Both numbness and swelling may take months to years to go away, and the last place for both to go away is the area right above the incision centrally, and sometimes right below the belly button. It may take up to 2 years to get to baseline sensation. sometimes, certain areas never feel totally normal, especially the area right above the incision centrally. If tingling or itchiness develop, that is a sign that the nerves are growing back. This is normally well tolerated, but occasionally, a nerve type pain medication is needed such as neurontin. Best Wishes, Pablo Prichard, MD