You are here:

Plastic Surgery/Tummy Tuck Procedure

Advertisement

Expert: Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS - 7/14/2008


Question
I had a tummy tuck one year ago in August. I still have some numbness in my abdomen as well as 1 large lump underneath the scar and 1 small lump. Do you know what this could be?

Answer
Hi Diane,

There's more about tummy tucks at www.bodysculpture.com.

Numbness can persist for up to two years and, in some cases, can even be permanent.  Fortunately, the areas involved tend to be relatively less important from a sensation standpoint than many others might be.

The lumps are most likely scar tissue.  This, too, can take up to two years to soften adequately on its own but some areas may require revision at some point in the future.  This involves removing the affected areas and resuturing (resewing) the edges of the tissue together.  While annoying to have to go through, there is typically relatively little pain or discomfort, or inconvenience.  And it is usually very effective.

You should, of course, speak with your PS about this, as is the case with all postoperative issues.

I hope that this helps, and good luck,

Dr. E
www.bodysculpture.com

Plastic Surgery

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS

Expertise

Dr. Engler has answered over 3100 questions as a volunteer expert for AllExperts. His expertise includes breast surgery (breast enlargement with implants, breast reduction, breast lifts), liposuction, eyelid surgery, tummy tucks, facelifts, skin cancers, cysts, etc. Dr. Engler has been listed as one New York`s Top Doctors, and as "One of the World's Most Famous Aesthetic Surgeons" (Aesthetic Surgery, TASCHEN Books, Angelika Taschen, Editor). He is the author of 4 books, including "BodySculpture" (a best-selling plastic surgery book on breast surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks), "EyeScapes" (Plastic Surgery of the Eyelids), "Restylane," and "The Slim Book of Liposuction." Dr. Engler has two US Patents for surgical instruments that he's designed, and has appeared on numerous television shows, including The Tyra Banks Show, The Ricki Lake Show (four times), and the Dr. Keith Ablow Show. Videos of his appearances are available on YouTube (search for "DR. ENGLER"), and his discussion of breast implants, also on YouTube is "How to Choose a Breast Implant." His website is www.bodysculpture.com. Thanks for "Likiing" Dr. Engler on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Alan-M-Engler-MD-New-York-Plastic-Surgery-and-Aesthetics/107206405967267?ref=ts&__a=8

Experience

Dr. Alan Engler is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York and the author of BodySculpture - Plastic Surgery of the Body for Men and Women (ISBN 0966382749) one of the top-selling plastic surgery books on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, etc.

Education/Credentials
Dr. Engler graduated from Yale University (BA, Russian Studies) and the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (MD). He did his residency training in General Surgery and, after that, Plastic Surgery, at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York. He is on the faculty of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and is a Special Lecturer in the Department of Dermatology at Columbia University in New York. He has admitting privileges at Beth Israel Medical Center and Montefiore Medical Center, both in New York.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.