Is it harder to orgasm after a tummy tuck?

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!

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

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. 

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

There is no scientific evidence that tummy tuck surgery decreases or even increases sexual sensitivity or orgasmic ability. Clearly in the early phases of healing many altered sensations occur, such as skin numbness, but there are no known long-term effects on the genitalia in the vast majority of patients. I have never had a patient tell me that it decreased their sexual pleasure. Conversely, I have had a few women report of enhanced arousability presumably due to an altered and elevated position of the clitoris in tummy tucks where a laregr pannus has been removed and a significant public lift has simultaneously been achieved.

There is no data to suggest that orgasm is decreased after tummy tuck and anecdotal data suggests otherwise. Achieving orgasm is more than just genitalia stimulation!

There are a multitude of emotional and psychological issues with cosmetic surgery, and there is undeniable incidence of depression after cosmetic surgery that could be the cause of the complaints.

As far as the tummy tuck per se, for many women, it is a landmark event, a celebration of passage from baby making phase of life to a "I am the owner and in charge of my body phase". That too can have an impact.

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.