I had a tummy tuck 2 weeks ago. The pain and soreness I feel at the top of my belly just below my chest is the most tender pain in the world. Is this normal?
Answer: Abdominal pain and nerve recovery after Tummy Tuck This is not at all uncommon. When looking at your belly, you see the incision and everbody expects the pain to be down low. Quite the opposite is true due to several factors. The lower abdomen is actually numb due to the surgical "lifting" of the tissues. However, the nerves of the upper abodmen are relatively more intact making the upper abdomen feel more painful than the lower. The pain in the upper abdomen is usually due to the uppermost repair of the rectus muscles. This will worsen with spasms and may take up to 3 months to ease but is generally worse during the first 10 days. As the nerves recover, they progress from the outside to the inside (hips toward the belly button) and from the top to the bottom. Sometimes the area immediately below the belly button never recovers completely but that is seldom a problem. Sensations of " pins and needles" are very common dring the recovery period and tend to be worse if liposuction was performed. This can be most active from 10 days to 3 weeks after surgery. Long term some people report phantom sensations/pain from transposition of the tissues from the upper to lower abdomen. For example you may think your rib cage is itching but you need to scratch your groin area to relieve it.
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Answer: Abdominal pain and nerve recovery after Tummy Tuck This is not at all uncommon. When looking at your belly, you see the incision and everbody expects the pain to be down low. Quite the opposite is true due to several factors. The lower abdomen is actually numb due to the surgical "lifting" of the tissues. However, the nerves of the upper abodmen are relatively more intact making the upper abdomen feel more painful than the lower. The pain in the upper abdomen is usually due to the uppermost repair of the rectus muscles. This will worsen with spasms and may take up to 3 months to ease but is generally worse during the first 10 days. As the nerves recover, they progress from the outside to the inside (hips toward the belly button) and from the top to the bottom. Sometimes the area immediately below the belly button never recovers completely but that is seldom a problem. Sensations of " pins and needles" are very common dring the recovery period and tend to be worse if liposuction was performed. This can be most active from 10 days to 3 weeks after surgery. Long term some people report phantom sensations/pain from transposition of the tissues from the upper to lower abdomen. For example you may think your rib cage is itching but you need to scratch your groin area to relieve it.
Helpful 35 people found this helpful
Answer: Pain Pain and soreness are common and expected after a tummy tuck. Most patients find it manageable with pain medication and by closely following their surgeon's post op instructions. You should find that the pain will gradually fade and you will be able to be more active as you continue in your recovery. Be sure to discuss all concerns with your surgeon so that you can feel comfortable and confident in your recovery.
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Answer: Pain Pain and soreness are common and expected after a tummy tuck. Most patients find it manageable with pain medication and by closely following their surgeon's post op instructions. You should find that the pain will gradually fade and you will be able to be more active as you continue in your recovery. Be sure to discuss all concerns with your surgeon so that you can feel comfortable and confident in your recovery.
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September 18, 2019
Answer: Post tummy tuck Thank you for your question. Congratulations on your procedure. Pain and soreness after abdominoplasty is quite common. However, if your pain persists or worsens, I would advise you to follow up with your surgeon. Hope this information helps.
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September 18, 2019
Answer: Post tummy tuck Thank you for your question. Congratulations on your procedure. Pain and soreness after abdominoplasty is quite common. However, if your pain persists or worsens, I would advise you to follow up with your surgeon. Hope this information helps.
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November 21, 2017
Answer: Tummy tuck abdominoplasty excess abdominal skin post-operative tummy pain soreness healing rate LA tummy expert specialist Hi MissBeleve, Thank you for your questions about pain and soreness after a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. Pain after a tummy tuck is normal. This is due to the rectus abdominis muscles being tightened with permanent suture. The tummy tuck pain is also due to the abdominal skin being removed and sutured back together to achieve a flat tummy. The reason you are in pain at the top of your belly just below your chest is that the rectus abdominis muscles is sewn together from just underneath the sternum (xiphoid) to the top of the pubic bone. The pain you are experiencing is normal and is in a normal location. This pain usually subsides 3 to 4 weeks after a tummy tuck. If you are in extreme pain, please consult with your plastic surgeon. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding pain and soreness in the upper abdomen after a tummy tuck. If you have any more questions regarding the tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.
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November 21, 2017
Answer: Tummy tuck abdominoplasty excess abdominal skin post-operative tummy pain soreness healing rate LA tummy expert specialist Hi MissBeleve, Thank you for your questions about pain and soreness after a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. Pain after a tummy tuck is normal. This is due to the rectus abdominis muscles being tightened with permanent suture. The tummy tuck pain is also due to the abdominal skin being removed and sutured back together to achieve a flat tummy. The reason you are in pain at the top of your belly just below your chest is that the rectus abdominis muscles is sewn together from just underneath the sternum (xiphoid) to the top of the pubic bone. The pain you are experiencing is normal and is in a normal location. This pain usually subsides 3 to 4 weeks after a tummy tuck. If you are in extreme pain, please consult with your plastic surgeon. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding pain and soreness in the upper abdomen after a tummy tuck. If you have any more questions regarding the tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.
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June 13, 2017
Answer: Tummy Tuck Pain It is normal to feel uncomfortable pain that you are experiencing. You had a major procedure. Continue to take your pain medication and do not lift heavy items or bend over to pick up items. Once the pain subsides you can move to an over the counter pain medication to avoid suffering from constipation. In the meant time, also use fiber supplements or a stool softener from your surgeon. You will soon begin to feel better. Congratulations and best of luck!
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June 13, 2017
Answer: Tummy Tuck Pain It is normal to feel uncomfortable pain that you are experiencing. You had a major procedure. Continue to take your pain medication and do not lift heavy items or bend over to pick up items. Once the pain subsides you can move to an over the counter pain medication to avoid suffering from constipation. In the meant time, also use fiber supplements or a stool softener from your surgeon. You will soon begin to feel better. Congratulations and best of luck!
Helpful
June 6, 2017
Answer: Soreness after tummy tuck surgery Fortunately tummy tuck surgery has come a long way in the pain department. There a re many things that can be done to reduce the level of pain during recovery. i am a strong believer that tumescent solution that is injected prior to the incision helps a lot. I also inject long acting numbing medicine along the incision before making the incision. The theory is that if your body does't experience the pain (even though you are asleep under anesthesia) it won't hurt so bad when you wake up. In addition there is a relatively new long acting numbing medicine called Exparel. This is injected at the time of surgery. It works extremely well and allows patients to move about much easier, taking far less pain meds. Intravenous ibuprofen also helps. With all of these changes most patients report that their pain level is a 3-5 out of 10 (ten being the worst pain). Check with your surgeon about these treatments an go for it.
Helpful
June 6, 2017
Answer: Soreness after tummy tuck surgery Fortunately tummy tuck surgery has come a long way in the pain department. There a re many things that can be done to reduce the level of pain during recovery. i am a strong believer that tumescent solution that is injected prior to the incision helps a lot. I also inject long acting numbing medicine along the incision before making the incision. The theory is that if your body does't experience the pain (even though you are asleep under anesthesia) it won't hurt so bad when you wake up. In addition there is a relatively new long acting numbing medicine called Exparel. This is injected at the time of surgery. It works extremely well and allows patients to move about much easier, taking far less pain meds. Intravenous ibuprofen also helps. With all of these changes most patients report that their pain level is a 3-5 out of 10 (ten being the worst pain). Check with your surgeon about these treatments an go for it.
Helpful