Belly button draining 2 years post-op (Photo)

Question

I had a tummy tuck in 2022, I had a bit of belly button dehisence but it healed on its own with no issue. I have been great up until last week. I discovered my belly button was draining. I had a culture and it came back negative, I had a CT and it came back all clear, I went to a wound specialist that thought it may be a suture. I called my plastic surgeon and he stated he's doubtful it's surgery related as he uses dissolvable duties. Please help. No one will see me that's a PS.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and for sharing your experience. Based on your history, it sounds like the most likely cause of your belly button drainage is related to suture material. Even though your plastic surgeon mentioned using dissolvable sutures, it's still possible for small remnants of the sutures to cause irritation or create a localized issue long after surgery.

Another possibility is a small seroma (a fluid pocket) or a localized abscess, which could explain the drainage you're seeing. If the drainage persists for more than two weeks, it’s typically recommended to have the area explored surgically to identify and address the root cause. This exploration is often a minor procedure that can be done in the office under local anesthesia. The surgeon would make a small incision around the belly button to locate and remove any potential offending material, such as a suture or small fluid collection.

Given your history of belly button dehiscence, it's also possible that this area was compromised during healing, and some sutures or tissue may have been affected by infection or incomplete healing at the time. Even if your CT scan and culture came back clear, persistent drainage warrants further investigation.

I recommend following up with your plastic surgeon or another specialist who can perform this minor exploration to prevent any further complications.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Givens5,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

If you are experiencing drainage two years from surgery it is likely a suture abscess.  This can occur with dissolvable sutures even this far out from surgery.  Once the suture material is removed the area often heals quickly with only minor home care.

Jonathan Heistein, MD · Answer

There has to be something causing the drainage and the most likely culprit is a stitch from the original surgery.  Even if the stitches were dissolvable, sometimes a little suture abscess can form.  You need to ask your PS to evaluate your wound in person and hopefully he/she will be willing to explore the wound to find out why you have drainage after 2 years.

Manuel Diaz, MD · Answer

It has to be remains of the suture from the surgery, even after 2 years, you must have a consultation with the initial surgeon and have him review it. If you cannot, you should visit a specialist before this leads to a worse situation.  Good luck!

I am Doctor Díaz, Plastic Surgeon.  I would love to help you. I perform surgeries at  CECIP Plastic Surgery Clinic, in the Dominican Republic.

Belly button draining 2 years post-op (Photo)

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Belly button draining 2 years post-op (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Belly button drainage

Answer: Belly button drainage

Answer: BELLY BOTTOM DRAINING...

Answer: BELLY BOTTOM DRAINING...

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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.