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

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.

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

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

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.

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.