Day 20 oozing yellowish discharge after tummy tuck

Question

The right side of my tummy tuck incision is oozing yellowish discharge for weeks. The nurse said it was incision trying to heal. Then I lifted up the bandage and this is what I saw... is this normal?

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question. It appears that you have an incisional wound and separation of the area. See your plastic surgeon for an examination and options for local wound care. Good hygiene and wound care of the area should treat it and allow it to heal without any issues. If unsightly scars result, consideration for scar treatments and/or scar revision may be entertained later. Best wishes!

Himansu Shah, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and photos. It is difficult to answer your question without examining you however from reviewing your photos it appears that you have separation of the incision. It doesn’t look like it is major and should heal with local wound care. It is best to contact your board certified plastic surgeon for examination and treatment. Good luck.

Dev Wali, MD · Answer

it appears that the incision has separated in the area shown.  That can be due to a local compromise in blood supply or a superficial infection.  Usually these can be treated with proper care of the wound until it heals on its own.  You should first see your surgeon before doing anything to make sure it is nothing more serious that could require a different treatment.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Xoxolelexoxo16,this type of wound is not uncommon after tummy tuck. It is usually caused by poor blood flow. I would suggest you to consult your plastic surgeon, follow your surgeon's instructions and keep your wound clean and covered. It can take few weeks or months for wound to fully heal. Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

The photo appears to show delayed healing with partial wound breakdown, but if infection is not there, these types of wounds typically will close with proper supervised wound care. You need to talk to your surgeon, not just a nurse, to know what to do to encourage proper healing.

C. Coleman Brown, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, It is not normal but it also is not terribly serious either. Without seeing it in person, it looks like it needs a bit more TLC than what’s there now. I would talk with your surgeon, but consider removing the tapes, washing the area gently, apply a thin coating of bacitracin or neisporin (if not allergic) and a light non-stick bandage. This should move things in the right direction. Visit your surgeon often though, so everyone follows your progress. Best,

Day 20 oozing yellowish discharge after tummy tuck

Answers (6)