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Incision Opening and Draining 3 Weeks After Tumny Tuck

asked 1 year ago by Washington DC1566 in Maryland
Latest answer by Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Question viewed 1,349 times
Tags: drainage, incision

I had full TT on 12/28/10. Very happy with results so far, except at 2 1/2 wks. post op noticed small (smaller than quater)area at incision line at groin that was red puffy and slightly swollen. Visit to PS, where he said it wasn't seroma or infectio,but reaction to the sutures dissolving.Needle aspiration produced bloody fluid. Since,same area has opened spontaneously and drained red/orange fluid. No strong odor.PS prescribed Keflex as precaution.Quilting sutures used no drains.Is this normal?

14 answers to Incision Opening and Draining 3 Weeks After Tumny Tuck

No drain tummy tucks

No drain tummy tucks are closed in a different fashion so that seromas don't develop. Unfortunately seromas can develop in TT with and without drains. It just seems like the drain would've prevented this. Do your dressing changes regularly and it'll completely heal and may leave a little scar so butterfly the skin together if at all possible.

Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

www.DoctorMeade.com

Stitch abscess

It sounds like you had a small stitch abscess. If your doctor gave you antibiotics, he was probably concerned about a local infection. Follow his instructions for care.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Drainage from a tummy tuck incision

A tummy tuck is a safe and effective procedure to contour the abdomen, create a tight waist, and remove extra skin, fat, and stretch marks. Patients undergoing this procedure should anticipate a significant recovery process. This may include swelling, some discomfort and irregularity during the initial phases. However, your abdominal incision opening up and draining fluid is a concern that you need to notify your plastic surgeon about immediately. Most likely what happened, is that you... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Wound healing issue post tummy tuck

It sounds as though you formed a stitch abscess. This is an infection related to the suture material. Once the fluid has been drained and the problematic suture removed, it should heal very quickly. This is not uncommon and should not greatly affect the scar longterm.

Paul S. Gill, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Wound dehiscence after a tummy tuck

What you are describing sounds like a small wound dehiscence due to a suture reaction or a small seroma. Either way, it should heal on its own without need for any surgery. While it may be annoying to have to look after this wound, you should be rest assured it will heal and barely leave any mark on your abdomen. Sincerely, Martin Jugenburg, MD

Martin Jugenburg, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

www.torontosurgery.ca

Delayed healing after tummy tuck

It sounds like it is a small wound dehiscence, most likely due to reaction to sutures. As long as you don't have a continued drainage or erythema or systemic reactions, the wound will heal with a local care. It should not compromise your overall cosmetic result. Be patient, it will get better.

Sugene Kim, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck

It is not uncommon to have small open wounds after abdominoplasty and should not effect the overall result. Local wound care and observation is necessary and rest easy that the scar should not be more prevelant.

Christopher K. Livingston, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck incision is open and draining.

It is not uncommon for localized fluid collections or necrotic fat to drain to the surface particularly in areas of compormised blood supply, specifically the central portions of the abdominoplasty incision. These generally heal within 3 weeks. Continue follow up care monitored by your plastic surgeon. Antinbiotics are not always warranted but are commonly used.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Incision Opening and Draining 3 Weeks after surgery

Regarding: "Incision Opening and Draining 3 Weeks After Tumny Tuck I had full TT on 12/28/10. Very happy with results so far, except at 2 1/2 wks. post op noticed small (smaller than quater)area at incision line at groin that was red puffy and slightly swollen. Visit to PS, where he said it wasn't seroma or infectio,but reaction to the sutures dissolving.Needle aspiration produced bloody fluid. Since,same area has opened spontaneously and drained red/orange fluid. No strong... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Small area of delayed healing after tummy tuck

Its good you followed up with your plastic surgeon. Sounds like some local wound care will stablizes this area and it should heal up by itself. Please follow the recommendations of your plastic surgeon. Best of luck

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

Tummy tuck

It sounds as though a suture my be extruding,or a small area of tissue necrosis may have occurred. Normally, this will heal well without a problem.

Shahin Javaheri, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Delayed wound healing after Tummy Tuck

Occasionally, after a flap type surgery, the wound will separate slightly. The incision may have trapped some old blood that has liquified. The aspiration helps drainage and allows a sample to be examined by the lab in order to rule out infection. Sometimes, there is some fat layer breakdown (fat necrosis) which leads to a irritative fluid collection. After the wound opens, drainage occurs. Secondary healing leads to a very nice scar... more

H. Michael Roark, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Incision problem with tummy tuck

What you are describing doesn't sound like a big problem like an infection would be. This should heal secondarily without compromising your result.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Incision drainage after abdominoplasty

What you are describing may be a suture reaction and should resolve on its own without any long term problems. It sounds like your surgeon did the right things (examined you, needle aspiration and antibiotics if concerned about infection) and you just need to let it heal. Be sure to follow instructions on how to deal with the small wound and keep your surgeon aware of any changes.