How Long Does It Take for Skin Necrosis to Heal?

Unfortunately, this is one of the complications that all of us have seen one time or another.  The good news is that it will heal, but it may leave a wider scar.  Following complete healing, if the scar is unacceptable after 6-9 months, your surgeon may consider a small revision.  By the way, congrats on the quitting!!

Hello dear Marine, thank you for your question
You have done very well when quitting smoking, it will help a lot in the recovery process that depending on other factors such as age, feeding, skin irritation, among others it can take between 6 to 12 months.I wish a speedy recovery .

Congratulations on your surgery ~ and quitting smoking!  I am sorry that you are having this issue, but it is not terribly uncommon, especially in a former smoker.  Continue to keep the area clean and follow all of your surgeons recommendations.  It may take several weeks to heal completely, so be patient.  As others have said, if the scar is not acceptable after it has been healed for 6-9 months, talk to your doctor about a possible revision.  Good luck!Sincerely,Dr. Michelle Spring

It’s good that you’ve had this examined by your surgeon and are following their care instructions as well as are continuing to avoid smoking. Depending on your healing rate, this should gradually form into scar tissue in about a month or two, since it’s not very big.

Hello,Thank you for your question. It sounds like you are doing everything right at this point and you can expect to continue to heal well under your surgeon's supervision. You may have a wider scar and consider a minor revision once you are completely healed- closer to one year post op.All the best 

HI Marinewife, Thank you for your question regarding how long will it take for an area of skin necrosis to heal after a tummy tuck in a smoker.  Healing rates are highly variable from patient to patient and the rate of healing depends on a variety of medical reasons.  In optimal conditions, small areas of skin necrosis can heal in about three weeks.  In poor conditions, it may take up to twelve weeks (or more) to heal an area of skin necrosis.  I would not concentrate on the average time it takes to heal from skin necrosis after a tummy tuck.  Instead, I would focus on ways to optimize healing.  Techniques to optimize healing after skin necrosis include hyperbaric oxygen and localized wound care, as suggested by your plastic surgeon.  Also, I would suggest taking a daily multi-vitamin, vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, and iron pills.  I would suggest you eat or drink about 100 grams of protein a day.  You need to avoid all sources of nicotine and certainly stop smoking.  Good luck.  I hope that I have answered your questions about skin necrosis healing after a tummy tuck.  If you have any more questions about healing after a tummy tuck, please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.