Will I ever be pain free? I had a tummy tuck and muscle reconstruction 1 year and 7 months ago

I'm really sorry to hear that you're still experiencing significant discomfort more than a year after your procedures. This is certainly not the norm, and it's important that you get this addressed promptly.

Pain this long after a tummy tuck, muscle reconstruction, and buttock lift is unusual. Normally, most of the acute pain subsides within the first few weeks to months, with some patients reporting minor discomfort for several months as the body fully heals.

It's hard to give specific advice without knowing more details about your surgery, and without being able to physically examine you. However, I can offer some general suggestions:

First and foremost, please contact your plastic surgeon if you haven't already. They know the specifics of your procedure and your medical history. They can best advise you on the appropriate steps to take.

It might be beneficial to seek a second opinion from another board-certified plastic surgeon if you have not found resolution with your original surgeon.

Consider seeking the help of a pain management specialist. They might be able to provide different treatment options for your pain.

Also, I would recommend seeking a consultation with a physical therapist who is familiar with post-surgical rehabilitation. They can provide targeted exercises and techniques that can help with pain management and recovery.

Please know that it's important to not ignore this kind of persistent pain, and it's crucial that you get the right medical attention. With the right care, there's certainly a chance to alleviate the pain and discomfort you're experiencing.

Best of luck,

Dr. Katzen

Dear Dynamic361685, every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients, the best thing to do is to get in touch with your surgeon or his team. Make sure you go on consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Hope this helps and best of lucks. Dr. Luis Mejia.

Dear Dynamic361685,
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

I'm sorry to hear of the issues you are having with pain. This is not typical, especially to the degree you are in discomfort and for the length of time it's been occurring. Your situation needs to be evaluated by your surgeon. Further tests may needed for diagnosis.

The pain after abdominoplasty is good to define the area where is found if it increases on palpation to make a more accurate diagnosis, but it is described that 1 to 2 years of improvement of pain and discomfort in this area. Vitamins B for 1 month can help with this type of pain.

Tell me a joke especially if it involves reconstruction of the abdominal wall is a pretty invasive operation that changes body dynamics significantly.

Most patients get accustomed to the change and while almost everyone has pain initially for most patients the pain subsides and patients eventually get used to their new body.

Occasionally someone will have chronic pain conditions after this procedure. when this happens there really isn’t very much the plastic surgeon can do about it. Going back and undoing the operation is not possible and the pain is not fixed surgically.

There are exceptions but for the most part it is no longer a surgical problem.

Your best option is most likely to seek to help of pain management experts who can help you cope and manage with chronic pain.

This should include trying to assess where the pain is coming from in regards to nerve compression, muscle tension etc. etc.

Physical therapy, desensitization are all things that can be helpful. they are probably more useful and at least considered more main stream medical approaches than using cannabinoids.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Hi and welcome to our forum! Abdominal pain 19 months after abdominoplasty is not normal. You present a question that can not be answered over the internet. You require a complete evaluation and examination by a board certified plastic surgeon (and perhaps a gastroenterologist) to determine the source of your pain....and treat it appropriately. Best wishes...