Scar tissue around my belly button from a seroma after my tummy tuck - how do I fix it? (photos)

Question

Had a TT over a year ago started noticing my stomach around bb getting hard and protruding and hurting went to dr was told i had an abcess that needed draining he said it came from seroma had it drained lots of pus and fluid was put on abt now around my bb is hard was told its scar tissue how do i fix this

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @Practical963829, thank you for your question. A It is important to take an ultrasound scan of the abdominal wall to know what is there. You need to do this in order to determine if you have an acid medium, a seroma, or a scarring septum process. If it is an acidic medium or seroma it must be punctured. If it is a scarred septum, a reconstruction of the tissue can be done and the scar septum can be removed. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Practical963829, 
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went 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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

That area needs to be excised and let heal. You may have a fairly thick capsule inside from the fluid, and that thick scar tissue may not go away on its own.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

From your photos it appears you would benefit from scar revision to address the scar tissue and to improve the belly button from an aesthetic standpoint.  Visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to learn more about what to expect from this procedure.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

First and foremost you should get confirmation that there is no active infection in your belly button. If there is then it needs to be treated. This means there should be no opening, no drainage and no fluid coming out.
Typically the first sign of an infection is increased tenderness and pain.
Areas that have ongoing persistent increased inflammation such as smoldering infections with contaminated suture material can develop excessive scar tissue formation.
Well it doesn’t sound like you’ve had issues with having an umbilical hernia that also can cause a protrusion of the belly button.
Internal scar tissue will continue to be created as long as there’s an inflammatory process going on such as smoldering infections.
The same scar tissue will eventually shrink, reduce and soften with time once there is no inflammation in the area.
Excessive scar tissue can sometimes be managed with injection of anti-inflammatory steroids.
Just generally not to be done until they are young has been healed and at least 6 to 12 months have gone by to see how much it’ll prove on its own.
If there is any evidence of ongoing medical issues like an infection or fluid collection then these must be treated first.
Continue following up with your provider. If you’re not getting the care you need to consider getting a second opinion consultation.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Jeffrey C. Hamm, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Assuming that the first photo was the umbilical abscess and the second photo depicts a broadened circular depressed umbilical scar, a scar revision with a lollipop closure offers the best chance of improvement by decreasing the diameter of the new umbilicus, but you must accept a new vertical component to the resulting scar below the umbilicus.
Revisit your plastic surgeon for evaluation and discussion.
Best wishes.

Scar tissue around my belly button from a seroma after my tummy tuck - how do I fix it? (photos)

Answers (6)

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