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

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.