post-op concerns: worried/depressed

[JLeslie]

Hi Dr. Rosenberg,

I tried to post a question yesterday but for some reason it did not go through.  My question is about my recovery from a Lower Body Lift (belt lipectomy.)  Due to a long standing illness I let myself get very overweight over the years.  I am now 47 years old.  Several years ago I was able to overcome it and lost almost 50lbs.  My skin looked terrible so I got a breast reduction and LBL.  I had a board certified surgeon who did an excellent job.  The scars look great and so do I.

My problem now (the surgery was early Sept. 07) is that---like many people---I still feel "weird" sensations in the scar areas and trunk:  tightness, numbness, etc.  Sometimes I think I am wearing some sort of tight garment when I am not.   I did not understand that these may not be "resolvable" and I am feeling quite upset and beginning to get depressed.   I am presently seeing some acupuncturists who are using needles, cold lasers, and some sort of device that sends electric impulse into the damaged areas.  They were referred to me by a rehab doctor and seem to understand the issue.  Is there anything else I can do but hope and pray?  Is a TENS a waste of money?

Might this improve?  It has been a little over nine months post-op.  What else can I do?  My own surgeon has no advice particularly.

Thanks for your time.

Jane

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

While many patients experience some degree of numbness and tightness after these large procedures, they are usually not disabled by the problems you are having.  You are obviously being appropriately treated by experts in the area of post-op subjective discomfort.  Like your surgeon, this is an area of medical care that I occasionally refer patients to specialists for treatment.  They have the resources and knowledge for your best care.   Fortunately, at only nine months post surgery, it is likely that your problems will resolve with time.  I have nothing further to add to your treatment plan.

[lulu809]

HELLO

I HAD A TUMMY TUCK BACK IN MARCH 17TH, 2008, AT THIS POINT AND 12  WEEKS AFTER  I STILL GET SWELLING AND PAIN IN MY TRUNK, SCAR,AND TIGHNESS WHERE THE ONLY WAY I FEEL BETTER IS WEARING A TIGHT GARMENT  OR A ROUND  BODY COMPRESSOR.   THE ONLY DIFFERENT IS IM BEGINNING TO GET SENSATION ALL OVER MY BELLY,  WHERE OTHER PATIENT DONT FEEL ANY SYMPTON FOR MONTHS AND YEARS.  I HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER, I ALSO TRYING TO AJUST TO IT.

LULU809

[JLeslie]

Thanks for your helpful response.  I think these post-op things may annoy and upset some people more than others, and perhaps someone else would not be so concerned.  I will try to adjust my attitude!

Jane