Tummy Tuck Not Healing? (photo)

Question

5 weeks post op and my incision has opened up and re stitched 4 times now. 3 times in clinic and once again under general anesthetic and again it has opened. I do no not smoke and and am 26 and healthy. I am in weekly contact with my surgeon and he wants to stitch all the time that is so painful. I currently have nylon stitches in that seem to be tearing through my skin, I'm guessing there is to much tension. I have 2 year old twins and need to know what is my best option for healing ASAP.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Clearly re-suturing does not work. I do not re-suture wounds that open up because they are most likely only going to fall apart again. First, your surgeon needs to understand what is causing the problem. Then it can be treated. I would recommend actually opening the wound a little more to clean it out properly and then use a VAC (Vacuum assisted closure) therapy to close the wound from inside out. It works like magic and helps to clean the wound at the same time. It may take some time to close the wound completely, but it is the safest and most reliable way to go in your situation

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Tummy tuck incision separation should be managed conservatively and should not be resutured.  Dressing changes until the wound is healed can be followed by scar revision in one year if needed.

Erez Sternberg, MD · Answer

I am so sorry to hear about all of your troubles with the tummy tuck procedure. I am also sorry to tell you that with this problem, there is no ASAP. This will take months to heal and then a revision will likely be required. Have your plastic surgeon stop suturing the wound and instead begin local wound care with debridement and packing of the wound. Make sure you are not smoking and increase the protein and vitamins in your diet. Good luck and be patient for the best result.

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

It is very unusual to have to sew together something more than once if there is a dehiscence or separation of the wound.

	This could be due to tension, infection, bacterial count too high to allow the body to heal the wound, or other factors.

	It never hurts to have a second pair of eyes look at a problem and weigh in on what treatment might work.  Often the second opinion can give the patient another option to fix the problem.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear/see about the complication you have experienced after tummy tuck surgery. These types of wound healing problems are not uncommon. I would suggest local wound care with dressing changes ( under the guidance of your plastic surgeon) and avoidance of any further suturing.  You will find that with dressing changes,  the wound should close over the next few weeks.  Sometimes, in the long-term, scar revision surgery may be helpful/beneficial.

	 Best wishes.

Tummy Tuck Not Healing? (photo)

Answers (5)