I had a lower body lift on July 31st. Is there anything I can do to alleviate the lower back pain?

Question

Ive had minimal pain, just sore and tight. , but is there anything I can do to alleviate this lower back pain that seems to run across just above my incisions? Im walking upright a little more each day, I cant get comfortable sitting up upright or back. My butt is killing me sitting on it.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question about alleviating lower back pain after a lower body lift. The best way to relieve pain is with pain medication; these should be controlled medications prescribed by your board-certified plastic surgeon. Another way to relieve the pain is by muscle relaxants like flexural. Under the guidance of your plastic surgeon, these can be taken during your recovery. In addition, some of your pain may be due to swelling. Therefore, a compression garment is essential. You may also want to consider lymphatic massage 2 or 3 times a week for approximately six weeks. The swelling can cause aggravated back pain. I hope these suggestions help to answer your question regarding how to alleviate back pain after a lower body lift.

Thomas P. Sterry, MD · Answer

The most common cause of back pain after these operation is the slightly beach chair position and inability to stand up straight for a few days or weeks.  As time goes by, and you stand up straight, I'm sure you will improve.  I would shy away from using muscle relaxants at this stage of the game because it's only going to sedate you and make you assume that bad posture more.  On the other hand, if you get passed the 3-4 week mark and you still have back pain, we would certainly need to consider it.

Tushar R. Patel, MD, FACS · Answer

Hopefully by now you pain has improved, but if not you may have muscle spasms.  You should always be wearing you surgical garment to help support your front and back.  Also, make sure you are walking around your house so that your back and other muscles aren't getting stiff from being less mobile during recovery.

Melinda Haws, MD, FACS · Answer

Congratulations on completing your surgery!  While it's difficult to speak to your specific case, I will say that I get patients after body lifts and tummy tucks with back pain like what you are describing that are helped tremendously with a short course of muscle relaxants. After these surgeries you can have pretty painful back spasm just from the new positions you find your self in while protecting your healing body.  I would recommend you talk to your surgeon and get a quick exam to make sure there there is not another cause like a fluid collection or infection.  Talk with him or her to evaluate you for muscle spasm.  Hope this helps!

Thomas A. Cochran, Jr, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Thanks for your question. Lower back pain is not an uncommon complaint after the surgery you underwent. Just to be sure you are not dealing with a complication, I would advise you to touch base with your surgeon for further evaluation. He/she may recommend a mild analgesic or anti-inflammatory medication that will make this more tolerable for you. Good luck

I had a lower body lift on July 31st. Is there anything I can do to alleviate the lower back pain?

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