Question:
post TT pain?

I had a full abdominoplasty almost 4 weeks ago. My recovery has been remarkably easy and uneventful. However, in the past week or so I've had pretty bad mid-abdominal pain....in the belly button area, and a little higher. It's almost a constant pain - pressure, pangs. I've narrowed it down in my own mind to a few things and wondered if any of you can shed some light on what it might be. I've considered that it could be the natural internal bruising or just the healing process from my TT - however I wonder why it's only now starting to hurt this bad?? Maybe the pain is caused from me wearing a tight girdle all day?? Maybe it is gas? (though I haven't had any bowel problems to speak of. It is bad enough that it is interferring with my daily functions - meaning that I walk around feeling bad and it's causing me to slow down. I have a very high pain tolerance, so I'm somewhat concerned that I am hurting to this extent. Is this something to be expected in the healing process from TT? Is this normal to hurt at this stage? I will call my surgeon, but wanted to get your input and experience first - hoping to get some ideas of what I could be dealing with. Thanks so much.    — Mary W. (posted on May 18, 2004)

May 18, 2004
I don't know if I can answer your question but I can offer my own experience. I'm 13 days post op Belt Lipectomy and have had little pain....until last night! In the middle of the night, I was feeling unpleasant feelings on my right side, near my drains, and then the unpleasantness got worse. I realized it wasn't my drain tube. Then the pain moved to the middle of my tummy and then to my left side and then would go back to my right side. I finally decided, in my daze, that it was probably my body healing and my muscles repairing themselves. I don't know if this is based in any fact but it makes sense in my head. I need things to make sense right now because I'm having my worst day since my plastic surgery. Pain, depression, grogginess. It's true that every day is a different day with this surgery. Good luck to you all! Paula
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 18, 2004
I don't know if I can answer your question but I can offer my own experience. I'm 13 days post op Belt Lipectomy and have had little pain....until last night! In the middle of the night, I was feeling unpleasant feelings on my right side, near my drains, and then the unpleasantness got worse. I realized it wasn't my drain tube. Then the pain moved to the middle of my tummy and then to my left side and then would go back to my right side. I finally decided, in my daze, that it was probably my body healing and my muscles repairing themselves. I don't know if this is based in any fact but it makes sense in my head. I need things to make sense right now because I'm having my worst day since my plastic surgery. Pain, depression, grogginess. It's true that every day is a different day with this surgery. Good luck to you all! Paula
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 18, 2004
Congrats on the TT. I am almost 3 months out myself. My surgeon told me that the difference in pain is caused from the pain receptors being reconnected. When the skin and such are cut, those ties are sevored so you regain feeling as things grow back together. This would be my assumption expecially if you had your muscles tightened. Good Luck!!!
   — Angela A.

May 18, 2004
I am nearly 4 weeks post TT, my pain started this past weekend. I was numb and now the numbness is going away. I am assuming as you are that is is the muscles repairing themselves.. I tried to go without the binder but it was too painful. I did have a suture pop out from under the skin last night. I called the DOC today, he said it would eventually disolve but I am going in to have it removed tomorrow as it is painful and rubbing on my bra garment (I had a BL, too)
   — Connie M.