Belly Button Crusting Post-Tummy Tuck

TummyTime,
Don't worry. It is normal to have a bit of crusting around your belly button after an abdominoplasty. This may last a few weeks.
You are correct - it is basically a scab. As long as the surrounding skin looks okay and there is no foul odor or creamy discharge, you should be fine. Just hang in there and allow your body to heal - it is amazing what your body can do.
Enjoy your new tummy.

Hello tummytime,

Thank you for your question regarding belly button crusting after a tummy tuck. It's actually quite common to experience this after undergoing a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty procedure. The crusting you're noticing is essentially a scab that forms as part of the natural healing process.

During a tummy tuck, the belly button area undergoes significant manipulation and may be sutured into a new position. As a result, the body responds by forming scabs as a protective mechanism to aid in the healing of the incisions and the surrounding tissues. This process can sometimes lead to crusting around the belly button, especially in the early stages of recovery.

It's important to note that while it may be tempting to apply antibiotic ointment to the area, it's best to follow the specific post-operative care instructions provided by your surgeon. In some cases, using antibiotic ointment unnecessarily may disrupt the natural healing process and potentially lead to complications.

Instead, gently clean the area around your belly button with mild soap and water during your regular hygiene routine. Avoid picking at the crust or attempting to remove it forcefully, as this can cause irritation and delay healing. Over time, the crusting should naturally slough off as the area continues to heal.

If you have any concerns about the crusting or if you notice any signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, or drainage from the belly button area, it's important to contact your plastic surgeon for further guidance and evaluation.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

It’s not unusual to see crusting around the belly button
following tummy tuck surgery.  When
this situation arises its appropriate to cleanse the area with soapy water or
peroxide on a daily basis.  This is
usually followed by dry dressings, but in some cases topical antibiotics may be
necessary as well.

                   In
the majority of cases wound healing is uneventful when this approach is
utilized.  Occasionally crusting
may indicate a more serious problem and for this reason it’s important to
consult your surgeon.

Crusting around the belly button is normal after an abdominoplasty. Unless there is a foul smelling discharge it will probably heal without any problems.

Some scabbing and crusting around the belly button can be part of the natural healing process. The belly button shape and healing should improve with time.

The navel gets roughed up quite a bit during a tummy tuck.  There can be oozing of serum from the wound edge as well as sloughing of the epidermis of the stalk.  Together, these can create some unwanted crusting.  Thorough but gentle washing several times a day will eliminate it and eventually when the healing is complete, the navel will behave as it did before surgery.

This is extremely common after abdominoplasty because the blood supply to the belly button is different from the rest of the abdomen.
Generally, it sounds as if you are doing a good job.
However, too much Neosporin may make a fungal infection more likely.
Neosporin may assist in healing but, in and of itself, it is not a great antibiotic.
There are beter antibiotic creams but they do not have side effects and generally should not be used unless an infection is present. They can cause delayed healing.
Also antibitic creams generally fight off bacteria but not necessarily fungal infections. Other medications called antifungal or antimycotic or fungicidal agents are used for fungal infections. In severe infections an oral treatment may be useful bu this does not sound like your condition,
I hope this helps but in any event seek the advice of your treating surgeon.

The belly button is a critical element in an abdominoplasty procedure. In some cases, a patient may have delayed healing.
In my plastic surgery practice, I use a superior hooding technique for belly button reconstruction during abdominoplasty. This superior technique produces a very natural looking belly button.
Care of the belly button consists of the following:
Keep the area dry and free from excessive moisture.
Place a soft gauze on the area and prevent any shear force.
Once the skin has healed, apply a neosporin type ointment
The umblicus is important to the success of a tummy tuck. Take good care of the area and discuss when the sutures wll be removed with your plastic surgeon.

This should improve on its own with time. Clean it as you would the rest of your skin, and avoid the sun-- remember, there is an incision there, and sunlight directly on a scar while it is maturing can cause some discoloration.

It is normal to have some crusting around the bellybutton immediately after abdominoplasty. This can be caused by small gaps in the wound closure or by small amounts of fluid in the area.
From the look of the picture, it appears normal and it should improve over the next week or two. Persistant crusting (more than two weeks) can be a sign of delayed healing or other problems.
As always if you're concerned about an issue in your post-op course you should ask your surgeon since no one can give more informed advice than the person who performed the procedure.
I hope this helps.