Tummy tuck - What is the best way to "pack" or keep the navel open?

Question

What is the best method to keeping my naval open and when should l start packing it?

Ricardo L. Rodriguez, MD · Answer

A navel needs too be kept open for 2 reasons: A non healing wound or a scar that is contracting.Non healing wound: Use a Q-tip dipped in hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound twice a day. Then wrap a small marble coated with antibiotic ointment in the belly button. This is to prevent the belly button from closing up as it heals.A scar that is contracting: Get your doctor to inject steroid into the scar to prevent the contracting process. Then apply the marble trickAs an aside, I don't like the round belly button scar. It is more prone to contract. Check out the web reference below for some talk on belly button scar design. I like the "inverted u" design because it looks better and is much less prone to contracting.

Pejman Aflaki, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for the question. I would keep the belly button opening clean and gently pack with Xeroform guaze. You should talk to your surgeon. Best,Pejman Aflaki, M.D.Johns Hopkins-trained plastic surgeon

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

During a tummy tuck the belly button is treated so that it remains alive. Toward the end of the procedure the belly button in positioned in the abdominal skin. It should remain alive and not have the tendency tos shrink. If it is shrinking or has shrunk then the circulation was poor therefore if the belly button is healthy then it does not need packing.

Dr.ES

Dr.ES

Adrian Richards, MBBS, MSc · Answer

This is a very good question as the belly button does tend to constrict and tighten with time. A tip that I have used is to
keep it open with an ear plug.  The type
of ear plugs that you use to muffle sound when you are sleeping are ideal. I do advise some of my patients to gently
insert an ear plug at night and make sure they do remove it in the
morning.  I also encourage them to
massage the umbilicus to stretch the scar and keep it from tightening up.

Terrence Murphy, MD · Answer

If your bellybutton is developing some thickening and scarring and contracting injecting it with steroid can soften the scar.  Occasionally I have recommended patients use earplugs which you can buy at the pharmacy to help keep it open. Be sure you check with your surgeon about these options. I would be careful about wearing that ear plugs continuously because they can put excess pressure on the skin.

Jonathan Weiler, MD · Answer

If your belly button has healed well and is starting to close due to scarring I would recommend injections of kenalog by your PSa dnthen placement of s silicone belly button ball to mould you belly button post-operatively. Good Luck!!

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

Once healing is complete some do experience a contraction of the BB scar (though there are ways to prevent this during the procedure) and a narrowing of the BB opening. An effective method to keep the BB open is placement of a marble taped into place to apply pressure and mold the scar keeping the BB open. If you have the issue as your surgeon when you can try.

Jeremy Pyle, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Some surgeons ask patients to pack the navel with objects like a marble to help the shape of the scar.  In that case, the wound is closed and healed before the marble is used. If there is any open wound, however, packing is used to help the wound heal in well. Generally speaking, in this latter case, the key is keeping the wound clean and moist. Moist wounds heal roughly twice as quickly as dry wounds. The old adage that wounds need air, it turns out, is wrong in most all cases.Best,Dr. Pyle

Lewis Ladocsi, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi MzJuicy.  I have never needed to pack the navel in order to keep it open after a tummy tuck.  I suggest you follow your surgeons's instructions.

William J. Welsh, MD (retired) · Answer

The best way to pack an open navel is to use Xeroform gauze beginning immediately after surgery.

Tummy tuck - What is the best way to "pack" or keep the navel open?

Answers (11)

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