Skin Sensation Loss After Plastic Surgery
The age-defying and confidence-boosting results that come from plastic surgery can seem magical. But plastic surgery isn’t a matter of “just add water and stir.” The procedures are exacting and involve the cutting and tightening of the skin. As such, the incisions can cause a temporary skin sensation loss after plastic surgery. Don’t fret. As with any surgery, this is a normal outcome. And it’s not as scary as it may sound. Why Is There Skin Sensation Loss After Plastic Surgery? Think about the last time you had a wound. When you cut yourself, you may have felt pain. But if the cut was very deep, there’s a chance you didn’t notice any pain at first. That’s because the wound broke deep enough into the skin to disturb the network of nerves that runs through your body. This network is responsible for communicating sensation from many parts of the body to your brain. Much like that deep cut, a surgical incision also impacts that network and disrupts those communication pathways – cutting off sensation to the skin. So What Does It Feel Like? There’s no one-size-fits-all for how each patient experiences the loss of skin sensation. For some there may just be some numbness or dullness. Yet another person with the same surgery may experience a complete loss of feeling. In terms of when the skin sensation returns, this also varies. For many patients, the sensation returns gradually. They might experience tingling or even zapping as the nerves heal. But then there are those who have an abrupt return of sensation. How Long Does It Last? The simple rule of thumb is that the more invasive the surgery, the higher your risk of losing skin sensation. Of course, there are always other factors. For example, smoking reduces oxygen in the blood and slows the healing process. So for smokers, it will take longer. In general, however, you can expect the these outcomes from the following procedures:- Facelift
- Tummy Tuck
- Breast Augmentation/Lift/Reduction
- Liposuction
