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.

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

Answers (8)

Answer: Leaky Belly Button After Tummy Tuck

Answer: Leaky Belly Button After Tummy Tuck

Answer: Leakage

Answer: Leakage

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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

Answers (8)

Answer: Leaky Belly Button After Tummy Tuck

Answer: Leaky Belly Button After Tummy Tuck

Answer: Leakage

Answer: Leakage

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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.