Belly button blues

Kenneth R. Francis, 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?


Kenneth R. Francis, MD
12 months ago
By Kenneth R. Francis, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Ginny,

Three weeks out from your tummy tuck your belly button should be healed.  There are occasions when it takes slightly longer to heal, especially if the circulation to the belly button has been injured (sometimes unavoidable).  Malodorous drainage may also be a result of an infected deep stitch.  Your plastic surgeon should be able to discern the difference between the two and direct your treatment.  Peroxide is a very toxic solution and kills not only bacteria, but the normal cells needed for healing, so be careful with its use.  Good luck!

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More answers to “Belly button discharge after tummy tuck”

A: Check with your doctor

Steven Wallach, MD
12 months ago
By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Sometimes the umbilicus has some delayed healing. Usually they go on to heal without any problems. You may want your surgeon to evaluate you. Sometimes there is a retained suture that prevents it from healing on its own. I am not a big fan of peroxide because it can be tissue toxic. Usually I recommend daily showers and dry dressings.

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A: Talk to your surgeon - but it should be fine.

David Shafer, MD
12 months ago
By David Shafer, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Ginny,

For the most part, the belly button (umbilicus) heals very well after abdominoplasty. However, occasionally you may have a small area of skin breakdown at the incision or a small infection. It is important that you see your surgeon to make sure everything is okay. Even if you do have skin breakdown at the belly button, these issues are self-limiting and tend to heal very nicely.

David Shafer, MD
Shafer Plastic Surgery
New York City

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A: Probably Nothing Abnormal!

Robert M. Freund, MD
12 months ago
By Robert M. Freund, MD - New York City Plastic Surgeon

Belly Buttons are separated from the surrounding tissue during a tummy tuck.  The belly button is left attached to the muscle and fascia and it is these attachments that provide blood supply to the skin. Sometimes the blood supply is marginal and that can make healing delayed in comparison to other parts of the tummy tuck. Keeping it clean with soap and water is excellent. Keeping the area moist with bacitracin or neosporin also helps. Small areas of breakdown and seepage are common. However, sometimes something worse is occuring so tell your doctor.

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