I Had a Tummy Tuck 2 Years Ago and my Belly Button Area Never Has Healed! Always Oozes, What is the Problem? (photo) Doctor Answers, Tips
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I Had a Tummy Tuck 2 Years Ago and my Belly Button Area Never Has Healed! Always Oozes, What is the Problem? (photo)

I had the tummy tuck 2 years ago. Area by belly button still raw. Been to many doctors, including dermatoligist. The last time I saw the plastic surgeon he said go to dermatologist. I have been many times and nothing helps! Last time I saw plastic surgeon he mentioned that a last resort is cutting the area out? Has anyone heard of that before? I am so tired of it not healing. I am not diabetic.

9 Doctor Answers | Asked by tigerfish57 in Virginia Beach, VA
+3

Belly button not healing for two years should be investigated

Hello, Its very rare to have wound healing problems this long. I agree with getting a biosy for starters but after the results come back I would surgically evaluate for either a foreing body reaction to permanent suture or for the presence of an infected pseudobursa. All the best, Dr Repta
+2

Healing problems after a tummy tuck / abdominoplasty

This is most likely do to the sutures used under the skin on the muscle. i wouldn't cut it our but would surgically explore the area to see what is causing the inflamation around the belly button
+2

Chronic Umbilical Wound

Two years! I don't blame you for being frustrated. I would say that there is a high probability that you have a permanent suture that is causing the problem. It's probably one used to plicate your muscles. An exploration of the area with local anesthesia should uncover the source. If it is a suture it can be removed. Your wound will heal up and that should be the end of it. Cultures would be helpful in case there is a chronic... more

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+2

Chronic Belly Button Drainage Needs Surgery

A chronic non-healing belly button after a tummy tuck is a sign of an underlying problem. This may be due to chronic irritation of a knot from a fascial plication suture, a retained knot from a dermal suture used to close the belly button or a portion of the umbilical stalk that is trapped under the skin creating a chronic draining cyst due to epithelial turnover. The cyst problem is the most likely explanation and I have seen several patients who have developed the same problem.... more
+2

Non-healing belly button after tummy tuck

Based on your clinical history and the photo, the reason this is not healing is likely due to a non-absorbable suture which is preventing the skin from healing. The photo has the characteristic look of a foreign body reaction with the foreign body likely being a suture. You should have your surgeon evaluate this and possibly explore this under local anesthesia. Once the suture is removed, the wound should heal. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno
+2

Maybe a retained suture

It looks as if you have a chronic low grade infection which could have resulted from a retained suture, like one of the sutures used to bring your muscles together. See a plastic surgeon, and get your old op report.
+2

Nonhealing belly button after tummy tuck

If it has been that long and you continue to have a problem with your belly button not healing, you need to have a thorough examination. The most likely reasons would be an infection that has never been adequately treated or a permanent suture that has gotten infected or at least contaminated. Your surgeon can tell you if any permanent sutures were put in. You can request a copy of your operative report and ask another question on this site if the sutures listed in the report are... more
+2

Umbilicus problem two years after tummy tuck

My first question is whether any physician has taken a culture of the care to make a diagnosis. Could this be a bacterial infection or MRSA? You need a differential diagnosis before a treatment plan can be made. I'd encourage you to see another plastic surgeon for a second opinion and to ask your dermatologist or surgeon to take a biopsy of the area to rule out anything unusual.
+1

Non-healing umblical wound

I assume that you have be followed by your initial plastic surgeon and he sent you to a dermatologist? Ask your surgeon for a referral to a more experienced plastic surgeon for another opinion. Without an examine and a working knowledge of your case, I can only speculate as to how to proceed. A retained foreign body or suture could cause a none healing wound. I imagine the dermatologist would have done a biopsy if they were so inclined. ... more
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