Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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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?

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belly button discharge side effects

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16 Doctor Answers | Asked by Ginnyg in Hartford City, IN

Doctor Answers (16)
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A buried stitch may be the most likely culprit.

The belly button usually heals within 2-3 weeks after an abdominoplasty. depending on the type of sutures used, an infected suture, a "spitting suture" or a suture that should have come out but is still in may be the answer. A quick visit back to your surgeon should easily clarify the source of the bad smell. If it is a retained suture, removing it is a simple process. If antibiotics are needed your surgeon will prescribe them. The value of washing wounds with peroxide is... more

Belly button blues

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... more

It's most likely because of a stitch, but cannot be too careful

Sometimes discharge or small opening can be associated with "spitting sutures." Spitting suture is a term used when a buried, absorbable suture becomes exposed, therefore, losing it's absorbability. These spitting sutures can be easily removed by your surgeon. A quick visit back to your surgeon whom can help determine the exact cause. It also can be associated with infection, so make sure you check it with your surgeon.

Oozing from belly button after tummy tuck

I agree. The most likely source is a retained suture. You should return to your surgeon to have the suter removed or determine if there is another source of the problem.

Contemplating Your Navel? - Use Your Surgeon's Eyes

After Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck, there can be some delayed healing of the umbilicus (belly-button/navel). Healing of the umbilicus depends on the remaining blood supply from the abdominal wall, and occasionally this can be compromised especially when the abdominal wall (rectus diastasis) is tightened with sutures. Sometimes, antibiotic ointment or dried blood accumulates in the depth of the umbilicus as well, which may cause a discharge or odor. You should see your surgeon to make sure... more

Do not mess around, see your surgeon!

A foul smelling discharge from an open wound is abnormal! Causes may range from very simple to very complex...which could be potentially dangerous. Bottom line is STOP messing around and go see your surgeon immediately. In general, complications following surgery are usually treated easier early rather than late. Stephen A. Goldstein, MD, FACS

Check with your doctor

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.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Foreign body removal after Tummy Tuck

It is most likely a foreign body causing the infection. Usually it is a suture that might need removal. Check with your surgeon again for possible removal.

Tell your doctor!

I agree with the other physicians that it is usually a matter of wound healing that can take time due to blood supply, etc. In some cases, it can be an infection or accumulation of fluid (seroma) that is trying to come out of an incision that has not fully healed. This is not common so I don't want you to get too concerned. However, it is very important to let your surgeon know what is happening and they should be able to evaluate you and give you more guidance. Furthermore, I agree with Dr.... more

Probably Nothing Abnormal!

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... more

Talk to your surgeon - but it should be fine.

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

Belly button drainage after tummy tuck: Slow healing or suture

As reviewed below, the source of your problem is most likely to be, with about 90% certaintly, either a suture or delayed healing. If it is the former, it may require removal. This is typically a minor procedure. If it is slow healing, it may take some time, usually 3 weeks with wound care. However, this is just my opinion based on frequently performing the procedure. Definitely discuss this with your surgeon and feel confident that it can be managed. In brief, I hope this helps confirm... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Belly Button drainage can be caused by a buried suture knot

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.

See your doctor, but don't worry it should heal.

The incision to recreate the belly button during an abdominoplasty is usually a circle to bring your navel back to the surface. If the skin is thick, it can put some tension on the sutures. Occasionally the blood supply can be affected. Either way, even with delayed healing, the navel usually heals very well. Keep the area clean as you are doing. See your doctor to make sure the blood supply and sutures are okay. If you need a revision, it may not be done until the area is completely... more

Your surgeon needs to follow this.

Hello, This might just be something small or it could be a suture problem. Your surgeon should be seeing you through this to be certain the problem resolves. It might take a few months to sort out. Best Regards, JPD

Go to your surgeon for an evaluation

There are a variety of issues that can occur with the umbilicus after a tummy tuck. Your surgeon would want to know you are having a problem so they can evaluate you and prescribe the proper care. Most like likey it will heal on its own but you should go and be seen.