Does belly button drainage always mean infection? (Photo)

Question

I am 24 days post tummy tuck with muscle repair and liposuction of the flanks. Everything has been going well but this evening I noticed that I had a little bit of drainage from my belly button. Not a ton and it doesn't seem to have any foul oder but I did notice it is a little red today also. I am to follow up with my PS in a week but should I make an appointment sooner? He is a distance away and I have to miss work to get there for follow ups.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and pictures. It is not uncommon to have some drainage from the incisions if there is an area that has not healed just yet. If the area is not red, warm, and tender to touch, then it is likely not the result of an infection. I would recommend washing the area with soap and water and placing some antibiotic ointment and a bandage over it until you can be seen by your surgeon.Hope this helps!

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.It is fairly common to get some drainage after surgery. It sounds like you are a keeping an eye out for the important things like odor, and redness. The photos make it appear you have a suture that may be trying to work its way out. I would recommend keeping the area clean and dry. As long as the odor does not change and the redness does not get any larger, you should be fine to wait until next week to see your surgeon. If anything would get worse or you would start running a fever, call your surgeon immediately. Good luck.

Robert Frank, MD · Answer

Your concern is pretty common. Often the resorbable sutures are the cause. I'd keep the incision clean with a little peroxide on a qtip and then apply a thin film of bacitracin. You can place a cotton ball in your belly button to keep the area dry between showers. Good luck.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

You should always be able to contact your surgeon for concerns and if needed, send photos to him/her and this way you can allow your surgeon to manage your concerns.  In my practice, if you were my patient, I would ask you to put ointment only on raw edges and to try to put a small piece of cotton or Nu-gauze in the depths of the belly button if it did not stress the incisions.  You have a pretty crumpled appearing belly button that is swollen and with skin on skin maceration.

Does belly button drainage always mean infection? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Belly button drainage and different suggestions...

Answer: Belly button drainage and different suggestions...

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Does belly button drainage always mean infection? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Belly button drainage and different suggestions...

Answer: Belly button drainage and different suggestions...

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.