Is it harder to orgasm after a tummy tuck?

Question

Hi, I am considering full abdominoplasty, as well as liposuction to the thighs and arms with small lifts in those areas (thigh lift with incision in bikini line). I was doing some research and found a few women complaining not only about reduced sex drive, but also about reduced ability to achieve orgasm after the tummy tuck, due to decreased sensitivity in the external genitalia, perhaps due to numbness from surgery? Can surgical numbness in either of these areas have this effect? Thanks!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the rather unique question.

	Although  reduced sex drive (and all kinds of emotional “ups and downs”) is certainly understandable after tummy tuck surgery I know of no reliable study nor have any anecdotal evidence from my patients that sex drive and/or ability to achieve orgasm is altered after tummy tuck surgery.  Usually, numbness in the pubic or genitalia area is temporary,  if present at all.

	On the contrary, when patients  “improve” a certain body part,  they may find their self-confidence improves as well.  Often this translates to an  improvement in their ability to enjoy intimate relations.

	I hope this helps.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

This largely depends on how extensive your procedure was. Always best to check with your plastic surgeon for the best advice. I generally allow most of my tt patients to have sex after six weeks with the woman in the top position so she is in control to make it less likely for an injury to occur.#sexaftersurgery#TT#tummytuck

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!

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

Depending on the number of pregnancies you had and the amount of loose skin you developed from these pregnancies, your vulva (which includes your clitoris and other sensitive areas of the vulva) will drift down from its pre pregnancy position.  This leads to many unwanted and undesirable consequences.  One of these is that your clitoris and other sensitive areas are not in as good a position for friction during intimacy. 

	A tummy tuck, while pulling the loose skin on the abdomen downward, also pulls the anterior thighs, the mons pubis, and vulva upwards.  Many of my patients have reported improved stimulation and pleasure after a tummy tuck.  The physiology and psychology of an orgasm is outside of the area of plastic surgery, however based on comments above, I believe orgasms should be increased not decreased after the discomfort and swelling of the tummy tuck subsides.

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

Is it harder to orgasm after a tummy tuck?

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Answer: Clitoral Stimulation After Tummy Tuck

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Answer: Numbness and Swelling post tummy tuck

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Is it harder to orgasm after a tummy tuck?

Answers (7)

Answer: Clitoral Stimulation After Tummy Tuck

Answer: Clitoral Stimulation After Tummy Tuck

Answer: Numbness and Swelling post tummy tuck

Answer: Numbness and Swelling post tummy tuck

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.