Pain on abdominal wall and lack of sensation on skin 2 years after tummy tuck and lipo 360 - What can be causing this? (photo)

It's concerning that you're experiencing persistent abdominal pain two years after a tummy tuck and 360 Lipo, which is unusual. The fluid you mentioned could have been a hematoma or seroma, but your doctor indicated no fluid upon return.
The numbness on your skin might be due to the surgery; it's common to have permanent numbness after a tummy tuck.
However, the ongoing pain in your upper abdomen is not typical and needs further investigation. I suggest consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon. An ultrasound or MRI may be necessary to explore the cause of the pain.
Thank you for your question regarding abdominal pain two years after a tummy tuck and 360 lipo.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

If your original surgeon is unable to resolve your issue, it would be best to get a second opinion since the bulge and pain are concerning. Please see a board certified plastic surgeon closer to where you live.

Thanks for your question! This is a large part of the reason that we advise patients to be weary of destination surgery. There are some advantages (usually financial), but you aren't close enough to your surgeon for proper follow-up care. I would suggest finding a doctor that might be able to order you some sort of scan to ensure there is nothing is going on. Good luck!

Dear Sharix3,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Numbness below the belly button and above the abdominoplasty scar is quite common and permanent is a large percentage of patients.
Your bulge and tenderness would require a physical exam and possibly radiologic testing.
Dr. T

It's difficult to determine what may be causing the bulge that concerns you without an examination or more information. Change in sensation is a risk with liposuction and a tummy tuck. Typically sensation will return to normal as swelling resolves and tissues heal, but at times it can be permanent. At two years post op it is not likely that you will regain your lost sensation.

You posted ONLY 1 photos which does not really help see your issue. I think you have residual seroma cavity or ruptured muscle repair or both. Best to obtain an abdominal ultrasound to see a dx. If seroma pocket with scar tissue only re opening complete TT can effectively "fix" you issues. Best to virtua consult with....

You will need to be examined to see what the cause could be. The numbness you have is expected after a tummy tuck, especially in the area between your belly button and scar.

First and foremost I do not recommend anybody travel long distances for elective surgical procedures.
I had said that over 10,000 times responding to questions on this website.
People seem to not appreciate the importance of having in person consultations, the importance of properly vetting plastic surgeons to choose the right provider, how many people have issues that require personal attention after surgery, the fact that complications actually do happen or the number of people who may need revision surgery.
Your option to get a proper assessment as to either go back to your surgeon in the Dominican republic like you did before or have a second opinion consultation with a local board-certified plastic surgeon.
Many plastic surgeons offer free consultations for cosmetic surgery in the United States.
It is absolutely fair game to charge patients for a second opinion consultation for someone who has already had surgery and is having issues or potential complications.
That said I don’t think most people would charge all that much for a straightforward consultation.
Some may be willing to do it for free.
Numbness is absolutely common after a tummy tuck and this may be permanent especially the lower central part of the abdomen between the bellybutton and the pubic area. That is normal and should have been explained during your consultation which ideally you should’ve had weeks or months before your surgery.
A lot of people have discomfort after the procedure and often the underlying ideology or cause is never discovered.
A full tummy tuck is a highly invasive operation that permanently changes the physiology of your torso.
Fluid buildup is called a seroma should be managed by keeping drains in long enough until there is no more fluid coming out.
If fluid accumulates after drains have been removed then it should be drained on a daily basis until no more fluid accumulates. Alternatively an interventional radiologist can place a drain which eliminates the need to have the fluid drained with a needle on a regular basis.
If the fluid is not drained continuously early after the procedure patient will develop a chronic seroma that has a scar tissue membrane called a capsule.
To treat a chronic seroma requires surgical excision of the capsule with placement of a drain.
The presence of a chronic seroma can usually be identified on examination or by using ultrasound.
Posting on real self is not going to get you a quality assessment. I suggest scheduling consultations with local board-certified plastic surgeons if you want a proper assessment.
People seeking second opinion consultations should generally come prepared to bring with them all before and after pictures and a copy of your operative report. in the United States you can ask for those from the surgeon who did the first procedure because they are part of your medical record. I would imagine the rules are similar in the Dominican republic.
It’s always a good idea to bring proper before and after pictures and a copy of your operate report and medical record notes for any second opinion consultation so that that surgeon has as much information at their disposal as possible.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Hi and welcome to our forum!From your history, it appears that you underwent abdominoplasty / liposuction complicated by the development of a postoperative fluid collection (seroma?), requiring drainage x 1. You are presently complaining of abdominal pain and numbness.This is a bit too complicated for a "sidewalk" consultation on the internet. You require a complete history and examination and perhaps some laboratory / radiographic studies before determining a cause. Only then can a treatment regimen be initiated. This is not the normal postoperative course following abdominoplasty.Visit a board certified plastic surgeon for evaluation and discussion of treatment options.Best wishes...