Why is there hard lumps and numbness in my stomach after a tummy tuck?

Question

I had lipo of upper and lower abs and a tummy tuck. Why is there hard lumps in my stomach and numbness in my lower stomach

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

Tummy tuck by itself will create some numbness all over the abdomen and will recover top to bottom throughout the months. But the flap is never hard  Liposuction creates the hard lumps. Maybe massage, maybe ultrasound, maybe lymphatic massage would help, all all will depend of what your doctor recommends. Be encouraged  Dr  Cardenas

Kim Taylor, FRACS · Answer

Numbness is completely normal after a tummy tuck, and should have been explained to you pre-operatively.  it is also common to get lumpiness after liposuction.  You don't mention how long since your surgery, but lumpiness usually settles over the first few months & numbness also improves over months.  Generally there will always be some residual numbness just above your scar.  See your surgeon if you have further concerns.  Kind regards

Aric Aghayan, MD · Answer

Dear Legrendre,It is very natural to have concerns after a big operation such as the one you underwent. It is normal to have numbness between the belly button and lower part of your incision. This will typically improve over the course of one year, but it is not uncommon to have some permanent decrease in sensation in that area. It is also very normal to have lumpiness from liposuction do to swelling, inflammation, and fat cells that are damaged during the procedure. This should significantly improve over time, but it will take 3-6 months. Follow your surgeon's post-operative protocol which likely involves some type of compression as well as massage. The hardest part of surgery is having patience during the recovery phase and allowing your body time to heal. Hang in there.

Israel Manon, MD · Answer

Hello
The inflammation process can last from 6 months to 1 year, what you are feeling is normal, each patient has an individual recovery process. You are still in the healing process, so I recommend to be patient, and follow all other instructions given by your surgeon. 
Regards
Dr. Israel Mañon
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Thanks for the question.  Following an abdominoplasty, there is usually numbness below the umbilicus to the pelvic incision.  The numbness resolves over a year but rarely is there complete sensation returning.Post liposuction, there is damaged fat cells that swell and require time to be slowly absorbed.  These are the lumpiness you are experiencing.Give it time.  They will all resolve.  Massaging helps.  Follow up with your surgeon for confirmation of what all of the Dr's say.Dr T

Douglas Leppink, MD · Answer

The presence of lumps following a Tummy Tuck can often be traced to injury to the fat on the abdomen skin flap that is raised. When fat is injured it goes through a process of hardening and then absorption, and the lump goes away, but slowly. Lumps can also be found along the incision line and may be related to the sutures used in the deep tissues for closure of the wound. Again, these suture lumps will often go away on their own.The numbness of the abdomen after a Tummy Tuck is related to the elevation of the skin flap, which necessitates dividing the nerves to the skin. The numbness is often present around the Belly-button and below, and generally shrinks to a smaller area over time. Please discuss your concerns with your Board-certified Plastic Surgeon at your next visit!

George Lefkovits, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

I always explain to my patients that after a TT there would be some temporary hardness and numbness. This is a result of the body's reaction to surgery. The numbness begins to return after about 6 months. This pre-op information as well as appropriate follow-up will help minimize concerns on the part of the patient. Follow up with your surgeon. Good luck!

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