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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

Numb Outer Thigh Possible Meralgia Paresthetica Post FTT & LS

ORIGINAL POST

Pros: Internal hernia muscle repair which was...

nomorumplytummyJuly 21, 2009
$11,500

Pros: Internal hernia muscle repair which was affecting lower back. Removal of loose and sagging skin. Body contouring for smoother appearance.

Cons: Possible permanent nerve damage, hip to hip scar. Recovery time that takes me away from being able to care for my family.

I am 8 days postop from a FTT with minimal LS to the flanks and hips.

I am on the petite side, 5'3" weighing 119 preop.

Immediately following SX I experienced a hot, searing, shooting pain down my right thigh after using the restroom for the first time.

The pain would return at various movements, getting in and out of bed, shifting positions, lifting hips in a laying position, etc...

Turns out my femoral cutaneous nerve was entrapped by 6 internal sutures which I had removed yesterday.

The searing pain is thankfully gone but the outer right portion of my thigh (1 inch above knee and 4 inches below hip) is numb to the touch but I feel slight burning, tingling and little electrical shocks beneath the surface of the skin.

When I touch along the incision particularly at the outer right portion close to my hip, it feels particularly sensitive and seems to aggravate where my thigh is numb. Could there be another nerve that is compressed, damaged or entrapped there?

How common is it to be numb in the thigh post abdominal surgery? Is it from the LS or TT and how long could it take for feeling to return?

I am a dancer and avid golfer and am right side dominant and would like to do everything possible to get this fixed before it becomes a permanent condition...

Very much appreciate any and all replies! If the nerve damage is permanent or takes years to recover I would say the procedure is not worth the risk and I if I had the chance to rethink my decision, would not have done it.

If the nerve damage is only temporary then I would be happy with my decision but do not feel I would attempt plastic surgery again...

Is this Meraglia Paresthetica by chance [see story below]? How can I know if it is permanent and when and would you recommend a Nerve Conduction Velocity test or Electromyography?

nomorumplytummy's provider

Replies (19)

judynq
July 24, 2009
it may be some slight nerve damage, but if the searing pain comes back for a certain amount of time, its time to see a doctor. i had a tummy tuck almost 3 years ago and i still do not have any feeling on the underside of my belly, which is strange, but i dont really care. but i have been told the feeling will come back over time, its only been a week and a half, maybe two. it takes some time.
nomorumplytummy
July 24, 2009
Thanks judynq, yes, I'd heard numbness of the tummy is quite common and sometimes feeling does not return but I know it is pretty rare for the thighs to be numb particularly if no lipo was done to the thighs. I really wish some experts/doctors would reply but maybe there's a reason they're intentionally ignoring my post... Maybe it's an all too real complication they don't want to shed light on? It's very unfortunate that no surgeons have been willing to offer any advice, answers, or next steps. I expected more from this website and the doctors that are a part of it.
Rosemariek
July 25, 2009
HI, I too have lost feeling on my tummy as well as the hips down to half way down my legs on each side. Yes nerve damage I have been told. The feeling will never return because the skin on each hip side was pulled way to tight. You are right the Doctors here never seem to give a straight honest answer they always say go back to your Surgeon well we would not be here asking questions if our Surgeons weren't busy avoiding our questions. I regret so much now and yes my mons pub area may as well be at my waist, my belly button looks like you should swipe your credit card as it is just a slit, not round etc and yes too high. I do feel your pain and I too hope someone can help with our questions.
nomorumplytummy
July 26, 2009
Rosek, Are your hip and thighs completely numb? Do you have any sensation at all? How did you confirm that it was in fact nerve damage and when was your surgery? I really feel for you but hope you are doing okay despite this unfortunate complication...
Rosemariek
October 12, 2009
Hi, Sorry I have taken so long to get back to you. A second opinion from a PS who was willing to give me answers in person but would not confirm in writing etc. The nerves have been cut completely, it happens sometimes but is not a common thing. The feeling will never return be it on my legs, thighs tummy etc. PS advised that surgeons who do this proceedure but not really specialise in are the ones who tend to do the most nerve damage. Hope this helps you
aphayes96
November 29, 2009
Hi... I'm commenting because I'm almost two weeks post TT, no lipo or anything else and I have EXACTLY what you describe. A hot shooting, searing pain down my thigh. It's actually in two places and then a patch of numbness about 8 inches long from knee to thigh. I am trying not to worry too much since my leg has actually gone through changing sensation... it's now a raging sunburn feeling on the top skin but at least it's some feeling. I am hopeful this will resolve on it's own but am going in tomorrow for my post op final and will get some answers. I'll come back and post what he says. Thanks for putting up this post... I feel exactly as you do in that my results are beautiful, love my surgeon but if this nerve pain is permanent... I can't bear it. I'm a marathon runner so you can imagine how this would affect me long term! I was feeling very alone. More soon.
ArturoB
September 23, 2011
Has it got better?
jllouise
March 6, 2010
hi, 3 weeks PS, hernia repair and TT and yes I have the numbness, pain, wierd tenderness going down Rleg. Surgeon told me it was nerve damage due to bleeding/repair during surgery. Intense pain stopped about 1.5 weeks PS. waiting for result/return of feeling, has definitely slowed recovery as it is painful full movement of leg. I would love to hear from someone who had this and is further down the road in recovery.
rhonda1967
March 10, 2010
I had an abdominal hysterectomy 2 weeks ago. From the moment I woke up from surgery, I had horrible outer thigh pain. Like a burning or bee stings. I can't sleep because I can't get comfortable in bed. It is numb, and even my clothes touching my skin is painful. I also felt that due to positioning in surgery maybe I have a pinched nerve. Sometimes it feels a little better than other days. I really can't afford to see a specialist and my short term disability at work will be up in a few weeks and then I can't take any time off of work. Please tell me this will get better?
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