Is it normal for your abdomen to be numb or tingle when you run after MM or TT?

The numbness or tingling you are feeling around your abdomen when you run is generally normal for patients who are still just a few months out of surgery. Some patients experience this for up to a year. The numbness should decrease over time. If it is causing you a great deal of discomfort, I recommend speaking with your surgeon just to be safe.

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. Swelling will take at least 6-12 weeks alone to resolve as well.The ususal 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!

Hi,Congratulations on resuming running again!  A recent study in our journal showed how the nerves were greatly affected on the skin surface of the abdomen.  So it may be nerve regeneration.  It doesn't sound like a hernia.  It is probably the bouncing around with running aggravating a nerve end. Go back to your PS and have the spot checked. My guess is that it will slowly resolve over time and just become a bad memory.  All the best, Dr. Joe

It is quite common to experience numbness or tingling following tummy tuck with mommy makeover. Many patients report feelings of numbness for up to a year following tummy tuck.  I would not be concerned but you can certainly mention this to your  operative physician at your next post operative visit.Best of luck,

What you are describing is normal.  Almost all TT patients experience numbness from their belly buttons to their incision.  It should improve over time, but may never fully recover to normal sensation.

Sure there is scar tissue that builds up as well as nerves making new connections. As you become more active you will have some of the symptoms you describe. It would not be uncommon to have this go on for up to 6 months or more. That is because scar tissue remodels for one year.

It is completely normal to develop the numbness that you are describing following an abdominoplasty.  The numbness can be in the lower abdomen and upper thighs and may last for several months to over a year.  In some cases, normal sensation never returns but this is not the norm.  

What you are experiencing is normal.  It can take weeks to months for your nerves to wake up and heal after at tummy tuck.   I'm glad to hear you are back to normal activity.  Enjoy your results!Dr. BasuHouston, TX

Thank you for the question. When a tummy tuck operation is performed, the abdominal wall skin is separated from the underlying abdominal wall muscle. During this process,  many sensory nerves are divided. Therefore, some degree of  numbness is to be expected. This may persist for months to years. In some cases/locations, the loss of sensation may be permanent.  Also, as patients become more active, they report abdominal wall swelling (this may increase during the day);  this phenomenon is usually self limited and improves when the lymphatic and venous channels start to work normally. Again, it may take several months/years for this to occur.  I hope this, and the attached link (dedicated to tummy tuck concerns) helps.

It is normal to experience varying degrees of numbness of the abdominal wall after a tummy tuck. Return of sensation can take up to a year and in some cases 2 years. It sounds as though you've had a very nice result. Continue to follow your surgeon's advice and you should do fine.