Belly Button drainage can be caused by a buried suture knot

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD answers: Belly button discharge after tummy tuck

I had a Tummy Tuck done on 10/28. My belly button has been seeping discharge and has an odor. I have been cleaning it with peroxide, but it has not helped. There also seems to be a small hole just inside as well. What should I do? When will it heal?


Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
12 months ago
By Jeffrey Zwiren, MD - Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Typically when recreating the umbilicus a buried absorbable suture may be used.  Sometimes these become exposed or infected thus causing the drainage.  You need an examination to determine the cause.  If it is the suture knot then it needs to be removed.  Also there could be an area of fat necrosis, which is dead fat, this will also cause some drainage. 

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