Necrosis and Sepsis After Tummy Tuck: How Long Until the Wound Heals Up?

Question

i had full tummy tuck with lipo 2 weeks ago. i developed sepsis and necrosis of the skin and fatty tissue. the doctors decided not to debride the dead tissue but it's quite a large area and feels like it will never heal. it seems to me that the wound is getting larger altough the black tissue has not grown any larger. the wound seems to be opening up more. should i have had more stitches to close this up?

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about the complication you have experienced after tummy tuck surgery.

	The major principles here involve:  removal of necrotic tissue, avoidance of damage to normal healthy tissue, treatment of infection if present, removal of any foreign body that may prevent healing ( exposed sutures),  adequate nutrition/protein intake etc.

	Depending on the size of the wound it may take several weeks to months for closure to occur. Again, depending on the size of the wound a wound "vac"  device may be helpful.

	Suturing of the incision line is not indicated now.  Closure may be possible later when the wound is clean;  otherwise, scar revision surgery may be necessary  down the line.

	Best wishes.

Dev Wali, MD · Answer

You need to discuss this with your doctor.  Any information that you get without full understanding of your situation will only confuse you more.  There is no way to give relevant advice on this problem through this forum.  That being said, wound breakdowns after tummy tuck usually heal up on their own and usually do not require any surgical intervention.  Simple local wound care is usually all that is needed and in a few weeks the wound closes.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

An area of marginal necrosis in the middle is not uncommon. This is the area that is the furthest away from the blood supply and under the most tension. These areas generally take about 4 - 6 weeks to fully heal. Many times the scar will look just fine and other times you may require a relatively simple scar revision. If it is a large area such as yours a revision may be more complicated.  Treatment with antibiotics is only needed if you show signs of an invasive infection.  Simple wound care is all that is required at this time.

Hilton Becker, MD · Answer

Necrosis can be a result of too much tension on incision, poor blood supply, smoking ect.  The necrotic tissue needs to be removed and the wound has to heal from the inside out.  You cannot resuture the wound.  Unfortunately the healing takes a long time but usually does not alter the end result.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

Before discussing TREATMENT we must understand CAUSE. We need to understand WHY your Tummy Tuck tissue died and became infected. Was it because you are or live with a smoker? Do you have Diabetes or a connective tissue diseases (such as Lupus or Scleroderma)? Was the liposuction too aggressive and resulted in destruction of the blood supply to the skin?

	If you had one or more of these conditions, they need to be corrected or improved upon.

	I'm not sure why your surgeons decided not to surgically remove (debride) all dead and infected tissues. Such tissue usually allows bacteria to thrive in it while antibiotics and white cells do not reach them there. A debridement procedure or two followed by application of the VAC could truly speed your healing.  These wounds cannot be stitched. They have to be allowed to heal by themselves and after allowing 8-12 months of healing a revision procedure or two may be needed to correct matters.

	Good Luck. 

	Dr. Peter A Aldea

Necrosis and Sepsis After Tummy Tuck: How Long Until the Wound Heals Up?

Answers (7)

Answer: Removal of the necrotic tissue is important

Answer: Removal of the necrotic tissue is important

Answer: Necrosis and Sepsis After Tummy Tuck: How Long Until the Wound Heals Up?

Answer: Necrosis and Sepsis After Tummy Tuck: How Long Until the Wound Heals Up?

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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Necrosis and Sepsis After Tummy Tuck: How Long Until the Wound Heals Up?

Answers (7)

Answer: Removal of the necrotic tissue is important

Answer: Removal of the necrotic tissue is important

Answer: Necrosis and Sepsis After Tummy Tuck: How Long Until the Wound Heals Up?

Answer: Necrosis and Sepsis After Tummy Tuck: How Long Until the Wound Heals Up?

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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.