Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Belly Button Crusting Post-Tummy Tuck

Is it normal to have some crusting of the belly button after a Tummy Tuck? It's is a fair amount similar to a scab but there is no foul odor. I was told that I might get a fungal infection if I use an antibiotic ointment on the area. How do I care for it properly?

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18 Doctor Answers | Asked by tummytime in des moines iowa

Doctor Answers (18)
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Usually normal

This should improve on its own with time. Clean it as you would the rest of your skin, and avoid the sun-- remember, there is an incision there, and sunlight directly on a scar while it is maturing can cause some discoloration.

Just keep the area clean and dry

TummyTime, Don't worry. It is normal to have a bit of crusting around your belly button after an abdominoplasty. This may last a few weeks. You are correct - it is basically a scab. As long as the surrounding skin looks okay and there is no foul odor or creamy discharge, you should be fine. Just hang in there and allow your body to heal - it is amazing what your body can do. Enjoy your new tummy.

Crusting around the belly button incision may be normal, but see your surgeon!

Your concerns are well taken. The comments made by the other physicians are correct: a small degree of crusting around the belly button incision in usual and common following a tummy tuck procedure. We routinely advise are patients to cleanse this area twice daily with 50% hydrogen peroxide and apply a thin a layer of Bacitracin-zinc ointment (without Neosporin), and cover with a light sterile bandage during the first one-two weeks. But! The crusting could be indicative of other... more

Most likely this normal

It is normal to have some crusting around the bellybutton immediately after abdominoplasty. This can be caused by small gaps in the wound closure or by small amounts of fluid in the area. From the look of the picture, it appears normal and it should improve over the next week or two. Persistant crusting (more than two weeks) can be a sign of delayed healing or other problems. As always if you're concerned about an issue in your post-op course you should ask your surgeon since no one can... more

Crusting around belly button after tummy tuck

Some scabbing and crusting around the belly button can be part of the natural healing process. The belly button shape and healing should improve with time.

Crusting of the navel after tummy tuck is common and demands better hygiene.

The navel gets roughed up quite a bit during a tummy tuck. There can be oozing of serum from the wound edge as well as sloughing of the epidermis of the stalk. Together, these can create some unwanted crusting. Thorough but gentle washing several times a day will eliminate it and eventually when the healing is complete, the navel will behave as it did before surgery.

Crusting in the belly button area after a Tummy Tuck

Crusting is very common at the belly button site. Usually, your surgeon will clean this for you at your postoperative visit. What I tell my patients is that if they wish to, use a Q-tip and peroxide to gently cleanse the area. The crusting is simply old blood and protein (ie a scab) and peroxide works well in removing it gently.

David Bogue, MD

6 reviews

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Belly button healing after a tummy tuck

Thank you for your question and your photo. The photo that you posted does not have a lot of redness or drainage. After a tummy tuck, there is a scar around the belly button and this may result in some scab formation or crusting. Keep this area clean (you can clean it with hydrogen peroxide mixed with sterile saline solution) and dry. Also be sure to see your plastic surgeon if he or she should need to remove stitches from this site. Best- Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS Board Certified, American... more

Follow your surgeons's instructions.

This is extremely common after abdominoplasty because the blood supply to the belly button is different from the rest of the abdomen. Generally, it sounds as if you are doing a good job. However, too much Neosporin may make a fungal infection more likely. Neosporin may assist in healing but, in and of itself, it is not a great antibiotic. There are beter antibiotic creams but they do not have side effects and generally should not be used unless an infection is present. They can cause... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Care of the umbilicus after abdominoplasty: Belly button care after tummy tuck

The belly button is a critical element in an abdominoplasty procedure. In some cases, a patient may have delayed healing. In my plastic surgery practice, I use a superior hooding technique for belly button reconstruction during abdominoplasty. This superior technique produces a very natural looking belly button. Care of the belly button consists of the following: Keep the area dry and free from excessive moisture. Place a soft gauze on the area and prevent any shear force. Once the skin... more

Sounds normal for the course.

Everything you describe sounds normal for the course. If it is something bad, like an infection, dehiscence (separation of the suture line), or loss of tissue (necrosis) - then you would likely experience some drainage, a foul smell or redness around the belly button. Since you do not describe these things you are probably doing fine. I would love to tell you how I manage post-op treatment of the belly button, but it is best for you to follow the advice of your surgeon only! Too many cooks... more

Crusting of the navel can be normal.

In the first 2 weeks after surgery, it is not uncommon to have some crusting aroung the navel. The belly button is repositioned into a new whole to create the normal navel. This is also an area that can get moist due to the depth of the whole. Fluid can leak around the incision and cause the crust. You must make sure that there is not any abnormal redness or infected drainage. You can keep the area clean with normal soap and water washes. I would not recommend any antibiotic ointment... more

NOt uncommon

Crusting around the umbilical region after a tummy tuck is very normal. As long as there is no significant drainage or smell then it is probably normal. The crusting may last 2-3 weeks sometimes longer. I usually recommend showers and leave it open. If there is some drainage then I recommend a gauze pad over the area to avoid staining clothes. I don't usually recommend antibiotic creams or peroxide.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Crusting can be normal

These forums can provide great information, but should not be used as a substitute for seeing and talking with your own physician. That being said, a small amount of crusting can be normal. Other signs to watch out for are odor (as you've noted), increased pain, and erythema or redness spreading from the belly button to the surrounding skin. These are all signs of a possible infection. About antibiotic ointments and fungal infections, antibiotic ointments don't necessarily promote fungal... more

Crusting around belly button after abdominoplasty

During tummy tuck operation, especially during a transpositional one, belly button is separated from the abdominal skin and also blood supply of the abdominal flap is reduced especially in the midline. Therefore healing around belly button is slowed down and somehow compromised. It is not uncommon to see crusting around belly button for an extended time. One need to be patient and as long as there is no foul smelling discharge or inflammation, there is no reason to... more

Belly Button Crusting Post-Tummy Tuck

Crusting around the belly button is normal after an abdominoplasty. Unless there is a foul smelling discharge it will probably heal without any problems.

Healing of belly button after tummy tuck

Based on the picture you provided, your belly button looks normal for this point in recovery. Be patient with the healing process. Crusting is expected, due to some seepage from the incision. Allow the incision to heal and dry. Use of opintments and topical creams may irritate and cause complications. The best thing would be to leave it alone and allow it to heal before putting anything on it. Consult with your plastic surgeon if anything changes which could imply infection.... more

It can be....

Hello, Just make sure your surgeon sees this area and is aware of what is happening. Some degree of change with healing around the belly button is common and your surgeon should be aware in case he or she wants to change your dressing care. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD