Should I be worried about skin around wound that is turning hard and black? (Photos)

Question

Had TT one month ago skin around the dehiscence (that ps keeps saying will heal with time) is turning black and hard. Should I be worried?

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.In some cases, you can have problems with wound healing. At this point, you need to do everything you can to promote healing. If you are a smoker, that needs to stop!!! Keep the area clean and follow all wound care instructions from your surgeon. It is going to take a while for this area to heal and close up. If you start getting a fever or notice any odor/drainage from the wound you need to contact your surgeon immediately.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs and I am so sorry to see your healing difficulties.  I would strongly recommend staying in touch with your surgeon regarding your skin loss and continued incision separation.  One needs to rule out an infection and to be prepared that the wound will continue to worsen before it starts to get better.  You may be a candidate for a woundVac application.  Best wishes.

Olivier Deigni, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question and your pictures.
Wound healing problems can occur as a result of a variety of reasons and in addition to good surgical technique, it is important for your surgeon to understand what your personal risk factors are and help optimize any medical conditions that may be contributing (diabetes, massive weight loss, smoking, etc...). That being said, your pictures do not reveal any active infection. However, you seem to have some tissue that would benefit from some sharp debridement (removal/cleaning) in the office setting. That black hard skin around your belly button should be removed. Antibiotic cream can be applied to certain areas to help avoid infection and also hold moisture to help your body heal. Given the extent of your wounds, the healing process would likely take several weeks and there are several ways to treat these wounds. One way that can help accelerate the healing is with application of a wound vac. It is a device that helps promote granulation tissue in such wounds and helps heal them faster. The main objective is to keep the wounds clean and free from infection as your body heals. Once you have completely healed, any scar revision that is needed can be performed in the future with usually very good results.
Make sure you follow up regularly with your surgeon throughout this healing process.
Good luck!
Olivier A. Deigni, MD, MPH
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Kim Taylor, FRACS · Answer

You have quite extensive wound breakdown and the black areas are part of the reason why this has happened, as it seems the blood supply is inadequate at your wound edges.  The cause of this is usually multiple: possibilities are smoking, poor tissue handling, too much tension when closing the wounds, bleeding, infection, diabetes or a number of other reasons.  Continue to see your surgeon for wound care, but if you were my patient I would consider debridement and resuturing the wounds.  This would be done in a operating theatre setting.  All the best

John Sampson, MD (license obligations) · Answer

Hello and thank you for your questions and photos.You can apply Silvadene twice a day to prevent infections and treat the burn skin in this type of cases. I recommend that you keep in touch with your surgeon at all times and let him know what is happening.

Should I be worried about skin around wound that is turning hard and black? (Photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: Wound breakdown

Answer: Wound breakdown

Answer: Should I be worried about skin around wound that is turning hard and black?

Answer: Should I be worried about skin around wound that is turning hard and black?

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Should I be worried about skin around wound that is turning hard and black? (Photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: Wound breakdown

Answer: Wound breakdown

Answer: Should I be worried about skin around wound that is turning hard and black?

Answer: Should I be worried about skin around wound that is turning hard and black?

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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.