If a dissolvable suture is irritating a nerve, causing burning pain in the thigh after a body lift, what happens next?

Hello, and thank you for your thoughtful question about burning pain in the thigh after a body lift, especially when a dissolvable suture may be irritating or compressing a nerve.

Burning, tingling, or numbness in the upper thighs is a fairly common side effect after body lift surgery, particularly because this procedure involves extensive skin and tissue movement in areas rich with sensory nerves — especially the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and smaller branches. These nerves are responsible for sensation in the outer and inner thighs and can be stretched, compressed, or temporarily disrupted during surgery.

In some cases, the sensation of burning may be due to:

Normal nerve regeneration after stretching or minor injury

Irritation from dissolvable sutures or surgical inflammation near the nerve

A neuroma, or small bundle of overactive nerve endings

Entrapment or compression by scar tissue or residual sutures

If a dissolvable suture is irritating a nerve, symptoms usually begin within the first few weeks post-op and may feel like burning, stinging, pins and needles, or even sharp electrical sensations in a localized area. These symptoms often improve on their own over weeks to months as the suture dissolves and inflammation decreases. Most dissolvable sutures break down within 90 to 120 days, though some internal types can last longer.

Here’s what typically happens next:

Most surgeons start conservatively, monitoring the symptoms while recommending supportive care:

Gabapentin or pregabalin (nerve-modulating medications)

Topical lidocaine or capsaicin creams

Oral anti-inflammatories (if cleared medically)

Avoiding pressure on the affected area (tight clothing, sleeping positions, etc.)

If the pain does not improve after several months, your surgeon may refer you to a pain management specialist or neurologist. Imaging like an ultrasound or MRI may help confirm if a nerve is being compressed.

In rare, persistent cases, a minor surgical procedure to remove a suture, release scar tissue, or decompress the nerve may be necessary — but this is considered only after non-invasive treatments fail.

The good news is, most nerve-related thigh pain after a body lift improves gradually, and many patients regain full sensation or experience a major reduction in discomfort within 3 to 6 months. Full nerve regeneration can take up to a year.

Wishing you fast and full relief — healing nerves can be frustrating, but they do recover.

Sincerely,
Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, MD, MBA, FASMBS, FICS
(Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons; Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery; Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and RealSelf Hall of Fame)

Always communicate openly with your plastic surgeon about changes in sensation. Nerve irritation is often temporary — but if persistent, there are many ways to manage it safely and effectively.

this is a difficult think to assess and address online.  It is best you see your surgeon to be seen and examined.  You may need meds to help prevent this from becoming a long term problem.

If you’re experiencing persistent pain or irritation from a dissolvable suture after a body lift, it’s crucial to consult your surgeon promptly. They can assess the situation, potentially remove the suture, and address any underlying issues causing discomfort. Ignoring such symptoms may lead to complications or prolonged discomfort.