3 1/2 weeks post op tummy tuck with open wound that looks worse daily. Is this normal? (Photos)

Question

A week ago the incision area had a narrow scab (pic 1). Over the weekend, the scab started oozing and my belly swelled significantly (pic 2). My doctor saw me Monday, cleaned out the wound, assured me it’s normal and looks great. 3 days have passed & I am still concerned with the swelling, oozing and now the darkening of the skin around the incision (pic 3) and how this will look healed. I’m cleaning it and using bacitracin twice daily. How “normal” is this, really?

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question, photographs, and experience.  Unfortunately this is not an expected/wanted outcome but can occur due to limitations in blood flow to the skin tissues.  A tummy tuck involves a trade-off in the amount of skin excision to achieve a tight result but which can compromise blood flow and lead to wound healing complications.  At this time you may see some worsening of the tissues’ appearance but then your body will start to fill in the wound from the inside-out.  Follow up closely with your surgeon to help speed healing and avoid additional issues.  Hope this helps.

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I am sorry for your wound after TT. It is not uncommon. It look like progressing in right direction and it usually look worse before it get better. It takes few weeks to heal and please continue to follow up with your PS for continued care.

Robert H. Hunsaker, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, this is not all that uncommon when there is a vertical component to the tunny tuck. It is a result of inadequate blood supply. In the vast majority of cases this will heal over time simply with good local wound care. Of course, this was not what you had hoped for and it often takes 1-3 months to completely close. The wound typically "looks" worse before it looks better since the dying/dead tissue sloughs away making the defect larger. Then it goes through a stabilization phase where no improvement seems to be happening. Finally, once it begins to actually shrink in size it usually heals rather rapidly. Follow your surgeons wound care instructions closely to help minimize the time necessary to heal.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Sorry for the complication of fat necrosis with inverted T incision splitting or dehiscence. I usually offer PRF infusion therapies with external red laser light treatments once or twice a week. Fees in $500 ranges for each session. It speeds the healing pricess.

3 1/2 weeks post op tummy tuck with open wound that looks worse daily. Is this normal? (Photos)

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Answer: 3 1/2 weeks post op tummy tuck with open wound that looks worse daily. Is this normal?

Answer: 3 1/2 weeks post op tummy tuck with open wound that looks worse daily. Is this normal?

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3 1/2 weeks post op tummy tuck with open wound that looks worse daily. Is this normal? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: 3 1/2 weeks post op tummy tuck with open wound that looks worse daily. Is this normal?

Answer: 3 1/2 weeks post op tummy tuck with open wound that looks worse daily. Is this normal?

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.