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When Will This Necrosis After Tummy Tuck Heal?

asked 1 year ago by Naty's Mommy in miami
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 1,109 times
Tags: healing, necrosis, timing

Hello, I recently had a tummy tuck (never smoked in my life) and at 7 days post op I developed a blood filled blister. It was removed while removing my tapes and now looks like a black crusty necrosis. 11 days post op, hte black part was scraped off (debridement I assume). I am using silver sulfadiazine, and my PS is seeing me regularly. How long will this take to heal? Is debridement necessary or can this heal on it's own? Thanks!

13 answers to When Will This Necrosis After Tummy Tuck Heal?

+1

Tummy Tuck and Wound Healing Problem

Thank you for the question and pictures. The delayed wound healing you are experiencing can occur after tummy tuck surgery. It seems that your physician is treating it appropriately. Generally, I suggest conservative management allowing the on healthy tissues to “declare itself”. This will minimize removal/debridement of healthy tissue. It may require several weeks to months to heal completely- patience is critical. If the area... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Wound healing issues with tummy tuck

This is the most common complication with tummy tuck surgery.  The area will likely take a number of weeks to heal completely.  Your plastic surgeon may choose to debride the wound additionally and/or resect the area and try to achieve closure prior to complete healing.  In my experience it is more reliable to allow the would to heal completely first and then return to revise the scar.  This is a longer process but more likely ensures complete healing with no secondary... more
Leif Liu Rogers, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck necrosis healing time.

The time to heal varies slightly between patients and depends on infection, size of the wound, depth of necrosis, and removal of the dead tissue. Debridement of the tissue is standard wound care and has many positive effects. By removing the dead tissue, your surgeon decreases the infection rate and hastens the healing process. This necrosis occurs due to a lack of blood supply. This can be from too much tension on the closure, an underlying blood collection, previous surgical scars, or... more
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck

The speed at which this will heal can depend on the size of the necrosis as well as other factors such as smoking and diabetes? Be patient and it will heal
David L. Abramson, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Necrosis following a tummy tuck

Unfortunately, necrosis is a complication of a tummy tuck even when though you have never smoked. Fortunately, from you pictures this appears to be relatively limited and small. Your plastic surgeon is doing exactly what should be done in order to treat the area and allow it to heal as best as possible. Typically, you can expect this to take 1 - 2 months, sometimes a little more. Once full healing occurs, you may be pleasantly surprised that the area is not as large as it had once seemed... more
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

+1

When will necrosis

This has happened to all of us at some time.  it is important that everyone remain patient and calm.  it looks like all the correct things are being done.  i always warn patients that silvadene is a great drug, but it does look like pus after12 hours or so.  this is normal. time frame can be lenghy but these things do heal remarkably well.
Jonathan Saunders, MD

Newark Plastic Surgeon

www.drjonathansaunders.com

+1

When Will This Necrosis After Tummy Tuck Heal?

So far so good, your plastic surgeon is doing the right thing for this not so infrequent complication after TT.  Be patient, it can take 2+ months for complete healing.
Ryan Stanton, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tissue Loss and Skin Necrosis After Tummy Tuck

Dear Naty's Mommy, I am sorry to hear about the problems after your tummy tuck. Unfortunately, even in the best of hands, complications such as tissue loss and delayed healing can happen. It sounds as if your plastic surgeon is providing good care. The wound may eventually need to be debrided. These wounds are often able to heal with proper wound care. The healing time is typically one to three months. I would be sure that you keep the wounds clean, watch for signs of infection, and... more
Larry Fan, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Necrosis after Abdominoplasty

Healing will take about 3 months, when managed properly. It will take several weeks until the extent of the necrosis has defined itself. Debridement should be done only on clearly necrotic tissue. Frequent visits with your plastic surgeon are key. Any revisional surgery, if needed, should wait at least 1 -2 years.
Stephan Baker, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Necrosis after tummy tuck

Hang in there during this difficult part. The area in question is relatively small and the Silvadene you are applying is excellent for this problem.  It may be 2 months before it is completely healed and it may need a modest debridement in the office, but hang in there. Many times these situations heal without need for revisions at a later date. It sounds like your PS is right on it.
Francisco Canales, MD

Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon
+1

When Will This Necrosis After Tummy Tuck Heal?

The photos show early potential necrosis. The care you are receiving sounds excellent. Healing range from 1 month to 4 months. Best to you. 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Necrosis after tummy tuck

This necrosis is just at the early stages. Once the necrotic tissue has separated from the healthy tissue, your surgeon will probably debride it and he/she will institute additional measures to heal the wound. It can take weeks or even several months for this to completely heal.  
Victor Au, MD

Chapel Hill Plastic Surgeon
+1

Skin necrosis after tummy tuck

Sorry you are having trouble after you tummy tuck.  I am glad your surgeon is taking care of you.  Yes, there is an area that looks as though the skin is necrotic. At some point your surgeon is going to need to debride this wound.  This can probably be done in the office with local anesthetic.  As bad as this sounds, once this fully heals, it will not be as bad as you think.  He can probably cut out the resulting scar at some point also. Again I am sorry that... more
Gordon Lewis, MD

Richmond Plastic Surgeon

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