Reduced bladder feeling after tummy tuck. Is this normal?

Thank you for your question regarding reduced bladder sensation after your tummy tuck. While this isn’t a common outcome, it is possible for some patients to experience changes in sensation, including reduced awareness of a full bladder, following abdominoplasty. This can happen due to nerve involvement during the surgery, particularly in the lower abdominal region, where nerves affecting bladder sensation may be impacted.

Since your surgery was in August 2020, it’s notable that this symptom has persisted for so long. While some numbness below the belly button is relatively normal after a tummy tuck and can take months or even years to improve, changes in bladder sensation deserve further attention. This could be due to the following reasons:

Nerve Impact: During a tummy tuck, nerves in the abdominal area are sometimes stretched or manipulated, which could affect the signals your body uses to recognize bladder fullness.
Scar Tissue or Adhesions: Internal scarring or adhesions may interfere with normal nerve signaling or organ movement, potentially affecting how your bladder functions.
Pelvic or Neurological Factors: The issue could also be unrelated to the tummy tuck and linked to pelvic floor dysfunction or a separate neurological issue.
I recommend consulting your plastic surgeon to discuss this issue in detail. They may evaluate the surgical site or refer you to a specialist if necessary. A urologist or neurologist can help rule out other potential causes. Additionally, working with a pelvic floor therapist may help if muscle tension or dysfunction is contributing to your symptoms.

In many cases, nerve-related changes improve with time, but given that it’s been almost four years, further evaluation is essential to ensure that no underlying issues persist. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a board-certified plastic surgeon or medical specialist to address your concerns thoroughly.

Sincerely,
J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS

Dear tennesseegirl1,
during tummy tuck your surgeon removed excess skin and tightened muscles but he didn't touch internal organs. This is probably unrelated to tummy tuck surgery. I suggest you discuss it with your doctor.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

You should have numbness below your belly button that will be permanent since those sensory nerves were cut. I would suggest seeing a urologist and having your bladder function checked. That may not be related to the tuck.

It is not typical that you would not be able to sense a full bladder due to a tummy tuck. As your surgery was four years ago it is likely unrelated. I encourage you to visit with your primary care physician or urologist for further evaluation.