How long will it take for my incision to close? I'm 1 month post op after tummy tuck (Photo)

Question

I am a month after tt 2 weeks agl my insicions opened and i had to be re stitched. I habe stayed kn bed and it is opening again. Is this normal and how long to close im suppose to return to work in 4 days

Luis Macias, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm sorry to hear that you are having a set back in your recovery from your tummy tuck. Make sure that you are following up with your plastic surgeon frequently so that they can monitor the progress of the wound healing. It doesn't have too much to do with the amount of activity you perform, but more to do with the poor blood supply to the area after a tummy tuck.  It may also look a little worse before it starts looking better and it can take a few weeks to heal completely, but it will.  After a few months, if the scar is less than optimal a simple scar revision can be done in the office. In the end you will likely have a very nice result, it will just take a little longer. It is difficult to have patience, but in this case it is necessary. Best wishes.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Because of relatively poor blood supply and relatively increased tension small wounds along the incision after abdominoplasty may take a number of weeks to heal. Usually there are no aesthetic sequelae.

Eric Desman, MD · Answer

I am sorry you are having a problem healing your surgery. From the pictures you posted, some areas are further along in healing than others. The pink/red areas are doing well. They will fill in from the bottom up and then grow skin across. Areas that are yellow need to change to red by either removing the yellow tissue with a procedure or with special medicated ointment. Basic principles of wound healing include the following: The wounds need to be clean, free of infection, and kept moist. Unless there is a documented infection, it generally is not a good idea to be on antibiotics because all you will do is kill off normal bacteria and select out the resistant bacteria. My best guess is 4-6 weeks to heal with good wound care. Scars will take 9-12 months to mature, and at that point, you can determine if any scar revision is desirable or beneficial.

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

First, I am sorry for your wound healing problems. If there is any devitalized tissue or dead tissue it will need to be cut away. After that it can take a couple of months depending on how big the areas are to heal. You have to be meticulous about keeping them clean and moist with either sterile saline or some kind of wound healing gel. Clean and moist are the key to healing. Clean and dry is not good. Dryness will cause desiccation or death to the good tissue. You unfortunately have to be patient here. It will require dressing changes several times daily but it will heal on its own. Then 6-12 months down the road when the scars mature you can have the scars revised to make them look better.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

I am sorry to hear you are having a problem following your abdominoplasty - I would stay in close contact with my surgeon and follow his wound care instructionsDr Corbin

How long will it take for my incision to close? I'm 1 month post op after tummy tuck (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Incision closing after tummy tuck

Answer: Incision closing after tummy tuck

Answer: Wounds

Answer: Wounds

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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How long will it take for my incision to close? I'm 1 month post op after tummy tuck (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Incision closing after tummy tuck

Answer: Incision closing after tummy tuck

Answer: Wounds

Answer: Wounds

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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.