I am 7-8 weeks post op from a tummy tuck and am experiencing extreme senstivity, burning, shocking feelings throughout my abdomen, scar and pubic area. Is there anything I can do to ease these feelings?
It is really starting to wear on my nerves. I cannot wear anything that is going to move against my skin. I am working on weaning myself from the support garments. The only thing that helps some is a vinegar bath. I have taken OTC pain relievers but they barely take the edge off.
Please provide me with ANY suggestions or recommendations that will relieve these feelings.
Answer: Dysesthesia Common Post-Op Patients who undergo abdominoplasty often complain of pain, swelling and skin hypersensitivity. These are normal findings immediately following surgery, and usually resolve with time.The hypersensitivity that you describe is known as a dysesthesia.It’s very similar to what happens when your leg falls asleep.The phenomena occurs when the nerves are compressed or stretched.In many cases, this is made worse by swelling.Patients typically describe a tingling burning sensation that can be very uncomfortable.In many cases, clothing rubbing against the area can elicit a pins and needles sensation.These symptoms usually resolve in about 6 to 8 weeks without intervention.In some cases, aggressive massage can desensitize the area and minimize the pain and discomfort associated with this condition.
Helpful 6 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW Answer: Dysesthesia Common Post-Op Patients who undergo abdominoplasty often complain of pain, swelling and skin hypersensitivity. These are normal findings immediately following surgery, and usually resolve with time.The hypersensitivity that you describe is known as a dysesthesia.It’s very similar to what happens when your leg falls asleep.The phenomena occurs when the nerves are compressed or stretched.In many cases, this is made worse by swelling.Patients typically describe a tingling burning sensation that can be very uncomfortable.In many cases, clothing rubbing against the area can elicit a pins and needles sensation.These symptoms usually resolve in about 6 to 8 weeks without intervention.In some cases, aggressive massage can desensitize the area and minimize the pain and discomfort associated with this condition.
Helpful 6 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW May 12, 2015
Answer: Sensitivity and burning after 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!
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW May 12, 2015
Answer: Sensitivity and burning after 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!
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW
August 25, 2017
Answer: Hypersensitivity following tummy tuck
Sensitivity and pain as you describe is an uncommon long term problem with tummy tucks. However, it is not uncommon to experience these symptoms for brief periods of time during the healing process. The use of desensitization exericises to help decrease the hypersensitivity may help to improve the recovery.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Book a consultation
CONTACT NOW August 25, 2017
Answer: Hypersensitivity following tummy tuck
Sensitivity and pain as you describe is an uncommon long term problem with tummy tucks. However, it is not uncommon to experience these symptoms for brief periods of time during the healing process. The use of desensitization exericises to help decrease the hypersensitivity may help to improve the recovery.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Book a consultation
CONTACT NOW
FIND THE RIGHT
TREATMENT FOR YOU
November 15, 2010
Answer: Significant pain 7 weeks after a tummy tuck is unusual.
As the nerves repopulate the abdomen, the patient may experience some unusual sensations. Pain is generally not one of them. I would recommend you revisit your surgeon just to make sure that everything is healing properly.
Helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW November 15, 2010
Answer: Significant pain 7 weeks after a tummy tuck is unusual.
As the nerves repopulate the abdomen, the patient may experience some unusual sensations. Pain is generally not one of them. I would recommend you revisit your surgeon just to make sure that everything is healing properly.
Helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW
December 3, 2017
Answer: You may have a nerve injury I'm so sorry to hear about your problems after a tummy tuck. They may be due to nerve injury. It is common for patients to have numbness in the area of the incision and the area under the belly button after a tummy tuck. However, the burning pain and shocking feeling may be due to injury of the ilioinguinal or iliohypogastric nerves or the genitofemoral nerve. This may not go away with time, and you may need to have another surgery to remove those nerves. Medications like Neurontin or Lyrica may help. I hope this helps.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW December 3, 2017
Answer: You may have a nerve injury I'm so sorry to hear about your problems after a tummy tuck. They may be due to nerve injury. It is common for patients to have numbness in the area of the incision and the area under the belly button after a tummy tuck. However, the burning pain and shocking feeling may be due to injury of the ilioinguinal or iliohypogastric nerves or the genitofemoral nerve. This may not go away with time, and you may need to have another surgery to remove those nerves. Medications like Neurontin or Lyrica may help. I hope this helps.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW