Has anyone else had leakage from their belly button after a tummy tuck? (Photos)

Question

I am 6 weeks post op. Didn’t have a belly button for over 20 years. Lost my original when I did gastric bypass. Surgeon created this belly button. Started leaking. No odor and I don’t feel bad. Just this and being swollen and feeling sad.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear mbclaw13,slower healing and leakage from belly button can occur after tummy tuck surgery. In most cases it resolves within a few weeks or months. If you are concerned, i would suggest you to consult your plastic surgeon. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Luis M. Rios Jr., MD · Answer

Sorry for the problems.There are several reasons for chronic belly button drainage after a tummy tuck and your plastic surgeon will have to help you find the underlying cause.1) Draining Granuloma- a small piece of tissue, granuloma, can grow in between a healing incision and begin draining. The surgeon needs to look carefully inside the belly button to see if this fleshy looking tissue is present. If so, it needs to be removed to stop the drainage.2) Mild Infection- A wound culture, cotton swab, can be taken of the drainage to see if bacteria is present. If so, the appropriate antibiotic can be given to stop the drainage.3) Infected suture- Worse case scenario, a deep suture has been contaminated and needs to be removed. Your plastic surgeon will need to help you figure out this mystery by performing a careful examination of your belly button.Good Luck!

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

and yours has left you with a slit rather than a dimple.  All you can do is discuss your concerns with your surgeon and to see if there is a different technique that can be used to help you get a more aesthetic outcome.  I routinely reconstruct belly buttons on my tummy tuck patients as removal of the belly button in those cases makes the initial procedure safer and often the native belly button is not that pretty.  Reconstructed belly buttons look much better than most transposed belly buttons but they are shallow when laying on your back.

Eric Desman, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. It is not uncommon to have some drainage from the belly button incision after surgery for several days. However, you should check with your plastic surgeon to make sure you don't have a seroma or infection. Good luck.

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

This is not unusual and should reduce over the coming weeks. Presuming there is no collection this will resolve without any further treatment but best for your PS to advise.

Hasan Ali, MBBS, MRCS, MS · Answer

Leakage of fluid from belly button could be result of underlying collection of fluid in your surgical areas post TT which is leaking from this area. There can be localized granuloma or stitch abscess, a close examination is required in order to define the correct treatment. Wound swab for culture and sensitivity can be taken to direct the antibiotics treatment.
Your surgeon is in the best position to judge and chart treatment.

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. There are many reasons for leaking Belly Button. It may be healing issue, granuloma or suture etc. Please see your PS for evaluation and to discuss your concerns.

Soumo Banerji, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and sorry you aren't feeling good about this.  Thankfully from your pictures nothing looks irritated or inflamed.  It is possible that you have a small fluid collection underneath your new umbilicus that needs to be drained or cleaned out, or there is a small area that hasn't healed properly.  Either way you should have your surgeon evaluate it as once they are able to determine the cause there should be something relatively simple to do to correct the issue.  Best of luck!

Has anyone else had leakage from their belly button after a tummy tuck? (Photos)

Answers (8)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

When to go back to work after TT?

How to know if I have "popped" a suture after tummy tuck?

Supplements. Should I take this before or after my tummy tuck?

What are my options for revision, tummy tuck, etc?

Is it ok to have a tummy tuck if you have a hiatal hernia and peptic ulcer?

Are radio frequency sessions recommended around the stomach after a tummy tuck?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS