I need advice on a seeping belly button. Started at a month or so and still happening. 4 months post TT. (photo)

Question

I had a full TT with augmentation in January. Thefirst month it has began to seep. It is crusty and has a faint, unpleasant odor. I asked my surgeon and he said it was probably a stitch that had worked out. I keep antibiotic ointment on it but over the last couple weeks m exhausted & last week had a day that I was horribly nauseous and had to sleep for several hours. Now I am consistantly mildy nauseous. It's gotten so that I can only eat a little bit at a time. Can this be connected?

Francis X. Fleming, MD · Answer

Looks like you may have some infected suture material around the umbilical stalk. Make sure you check with your surgeon so they can take a look. You may need some antibiotics or perhaps some of the sutures removed. A mild infection would not usually cause nausea, but you may have an intestinal issue that is unrelated.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

While your nausea is likely unrelated to surgery, the continual drainage needs to be addressed.  Visit with your surgeon for an evaluation.  Cultures can be taken of the fluid if necessary to determine if infection is present.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Hello,I am sorry to hear about your tummy tuck recovery.  There is something occurring that your body does not like. It can be presence of permanent sutures or perhaps scar tissue like a pseudo-bursa.  If you are not feeling well it will be important to make sure these two things are not connected.  It would be ideal to contact your doctor and have him/her take a look and make sure you do not have an infection.  Permanent sutures and pseudo bursa have to be removed in order to heal.

I need advice on a seeping belly button. Started at a month or so and still happening. 4 months post TT. (photo)

Answers (3)