Belly Button Discharge After Tummy Tuck

Please see your surgeon to check this out. Discharge that has a bad odor often indicates an infection, and this needs to be addressed right away. Best of luck.

Hello Ginnyg in Hartford City, IN. Thank you for your question regarding the issues you are experiencing with your belly button following your tummy tuck surgery.

It sounds like you are dealing with some complications that are not uncommon but do require appropriate attention to ensure proper healing and to prevent further issues:

Discharge and Odor: The presence of discharge and a noticeable odor from your belly button after a tummy tuck can be concerning. These symptoms can indicate an infection or a non-healing wound, particularly if the discharge is persistent and accompanied by an unpleasant smell.

Use of Peroxide: Cleaning the area with hydrogen peroxide is generally not recommended for post-surgical wounds like this because peroxide can irritate the tissue and potentially delay healing. Instead, saline (salt water) solution or a prescribed antiseptic is typically more suitable for cleaning surgical sites.

Small Hole Near the Belly Button: This could be a sign of a wound dehiscence (where the wound has partially reopened) or a small sinus tract that has developed as a result of infection or poor healing.

Steps to Take:

Consult Your Plastic Surgeon: It’s crucial to contact your plastic surgeon as soon as possible. They need to assess the belly button, possibly culture the discharge to identify any bacteria present, and determine the best course of treatment.

Possible Treatments: Your surgeon might prescribe antibiotics if an infection is present. They might also recommend specific wound care techniques to promote healing and manage the discharge.

Follow-Up Care: Ensure regular follow-up visits with your surgeon to monitor the healing process and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. Your surgeon might need to clean the area more thoroughly in a controlled medical environment.

Alternative Cleaning Methods: Until you can see your surgeon, clean the area gently with saline solution. Avoid using any harsh substances like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can irritate the tissue.

Monitor Symptoms: Watch for signs of worsening, such as increased redness, swelling, pain, or fever, as these could indicate a spreading infection that might require more aggressive treatment.

The healing time can vary depending on the underlying cause of the discharge and how it is managed. With proper care and treatment, most postoperative complications can be resolved effectively, but it's important to address them promptly to avoid longer-term issues.

Please reach out to your plastic surgeon as soon as possible to discuss these symptoms and begin appropriate treatment.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic Surgeon

Persistent drainage from the area around the belly button
following abdominplasty is usually always related to infection around the deep
sutures. 

During this procedure a lower abdominal incision is made and
a skin flap elevated to the level of the rib cage.  This requires an incision around the belly button for
mobilization of this skin flap. 
Once this flap has been elevated the underlying muscles are tightened
with non- absorbable sutures.

In some cases, bacteria is able to pass through the
umbilical incision and infect the deep sutures.  This results in drainage from the area around the belly
button.

In most cases treatment requires removal of the infected
suture and systemic antibiotics. 
It’s important that you consult your surgeon so an appropriate treatment
plan can be formulated.