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Hole in Belly Button Post-Tummy Tuck

asked 3 years ago by DARY in AUSTRALIA
Latest answer by Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Question viewed 4,982 times
Tags: belly button

I had a Tummy Tuck more than 2 months ago, and I have a hole in my belly button; it looks like it's open all the way and I'm worried that it might get infected. What should I do?

15 answers to Hole in Belly Button Post-Tummy Tuck

Hole after tummy tuck

Usually this type of problem either solves itself in that the hole closes on its own, or is an easy fix when an errant suture is removed. Occasionally, it may be necessary to do a minor revision on the area if the above two measures don't work. In any event, your plastic surgeon should have a quick answer for you.

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

Belly button wound after tummy tuck

Thanks for your question. Sometimes small skin level separations can occur and usually heal quickly. It is a little more unusual to have a wound 2 months out. Causes can include retained suture that your body is having trouble healing around, it may represent an area of too much tension that has separated or areas of decreased blood supply. Speak to your plastic surgeon as soon as you can. You may require dressing changes or revisional surgery. I hope this helps.

Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Call your Doctor

Hi there, It's difficult to say what might be going on, but it sounds like you may not be healing properly in the area. I would call my surgeon and go in for an evaluation. It may be that nothing needs to be done, and you are advised to allow the wound to heal, with a scar revision in the future, but it would be good to make sure that there is not something else going on that might need treatment. Give your surgeon a call.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

If you have any concerns - see your doctor

Anything like what you described should be seen by your doctor as soon as possible. Most belly buttons should be closed by 2 months after surgery.

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Belly button recovery with tummy tuck

You may be having delayed healing of one of the sutured areas, or more commonly, you may have a suture extruding through your skin. Both will heal with time and care.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Belly Button Wound after Abdominoplasty, (Tummy Tuck)

The wound is on tension, and the belly button is often not a highly vascularized structure. Sometimes a spitting stitch can also get in the way of wound healing. These are usually things that will heal without problem. You should go to your Plastic Surgeon who will diagnose the issue and come up with a treatment plan.

Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

www.jjrothmd.com

Hole in belly button after a tummy tuck

Tummy tucks are a popular and extremely effective way to contour the abdomen. Patients who receive this procedure can expect a significant recovery process. It sounds as if a small portion of the incision may have opened in the area of your bellybutton. Depending on the location, your body may heal this with minimal scarring. At this time, you should have your plastic surgeon assess the wound so that they can determine if you need specific wound care or if the wound should be closed in a... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Retained suture most likely causing the problem

More than likely there is a retained foreign body. This could be from a suture used to repair the muscle / fascia layer, or from a suture used to repair the umbilicus. In either event, the offending suture must be removed in order to clear up the infection. A trip back to your plastic surgeon is on order.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

See your surgeon ASAP

Hello, Small separations can occur and usually heal OK. It sounds like you are describing a larger separation. This may require a revision and sooner than usual, but first you need to heal. You surgeon needs to be involved here soon. Best Regards.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Speak with your plastic surgeon

Having a small separation around the new umbilicus (belly button) can occur. It can occur as there is diminished blood supply in this area following abdominoplasty as well as too much tension. This type of wound will usually heal on it's own but wet to dry dressing changes with normal saline solution will help clean it up and stimulate some granulation tissue. Revision is usually not necessary. Check with your plastic surgeon.

Sanjay Grover MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Talk To Your Doctor

Wound healing problems can happen with abdominoplasty, including the umbilicus. Separation of the umbilicus does happen and fortunately is usually self healing. It is important to optimize healing conditions, and ensure that the wound is clean and there is no infection. Cardnial signs of infection include redness, swelling, localized heat, and pain. You should discuss how to best optimize your healing conditions, and ensure that you are not infected.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

A common problem that will turn out okay

This is a common problem as all plastic surgeons know. Preoperatively I tell my patients that this is a potential complications. With conservative dressing changes, including packing the wound, it will heal well. Remember your belly button was made when something died. Your belly button is struggling because some of the tissue has died due to blood supply. In the end it will look fine. Be patient.

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

This happens and can be treated.

I agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Moelleken below. Poor healing around the belly button is not uncommon due to its compromised blood supply. This happens quite frequently. When we perform a tummy tuck, we frequently repair the muscles in order to restore the form of the lower belly. We tend to use permanent stitches to maintain this result. However, if the belly button heals poorly (relatively common) these sutures become exposed and one of two situations can occur. You will heal over the... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Hole after tummy tuck

Usually the small opening arounf the umbilicus will close on its own. If for instance, there is a forgein body, say a nonabsorbable suture poking through, then the suture has to be removed so the wound can heal. Follow up with your doctor to investigate this.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Don't cut the cord

Dary, This is a question that has been asked by several patients on this site. You can check the other postings for more information, but the bottom line is that you must get you your surgeon for a re-evaluation. Good luck!