What Do I Do About Skin Separation Below Belly Button After Tummy Tuck? (photo)

You are treating this properly--except to remove the source of the problem! I have seen this in patients who wear their abdominal binder or elastic compression garment so tight is "folds" the skin and causes superficial skin loss. There was never an incision  or scar here, but your photos clearly show the loss of the skin surface, and the above hypothesis is quite likely the culprit.

Unless you stop the extra-firm compression (verify with your surgeon that this is OK), this could end up with a small permanent mark. Please let it heal without creasing this area; it should reepithelialize rapidly without continuous compression/folding. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Your pictures suggest a relatively superficial separation of
the skin beneath the umbilicus.The
umbilicus itself appears to be intact and not involved with the process.At this point, there’s no evidence of
infection.The cause of this wound isn’t
clear but it may be related to tissue ischemia.At this
time, simple wound care is appropriate.In this case, dressing changes with polysporin is probably
appropriate.It’s important to consult
your plastic surgeon as soon as possible so he can evaluate the wound and
institute appropriate treatment.

Thank you for your question. The wound care you are doing sounds appropriate.

The wound has not split open. There has been some surface skin cell loss which should heal in very nicely and a small white scar should retract over a few months and not be noticeable.

The shape of the belly button looks excellent.