3 weeks post op tummy tuck, my incision reopened. Is this something to worry about or a sign of infection? (photo)

Delayed healing is not uncommon post tummy tuck.Blood supply can be somewhat limited in the immediate post op period. This can lead to healing issues. They will commonly occur centrally in the areas of highest tension and lowest vascularity. Most will go on to heal without issue.Momentum is key. Wounds that appear and seem to be improving are less concerning than the alternative. It is important that you adhere to your post op instructions for wound care and maintain close follow up.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).Donovan Rosas MD
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
RealSelf Top 100
RealSelf
Hall of Fame

Thank you for your question and submitting photos. A minor complication post tummy tuck is wound dehiscence. From the images it does not seem infected; the white tissue is called fibrin which is often seen in wounds that have slightly opened up. Your wound should heal well with local wound care. Be sure to follow-up regularly with your plastic surgeon to ensure everything is progressing in the right direction. Hope this helps.

Your incision looks like it is healing well at this point. Wound dehiscence is a complication that can be caused by variety of factors,  please connect with your Plastic Surgeon to ensure that you are taking care of the wound properly and that there is no risk of infection.
Best of luck to you,
Shahin Fazilat, M.D., FACS

This type of wound should eventually feel well. I think it would be best if you check with your plastic surgeon to see how they prefer to handle this. Everything you are doing seems perfectly reasonable, but the wound may need to be cleaned up of some of the injured tissue and antibiotics may be helpful.

Hello! Thank you for your question and providing pictures, this problem is not uncommon, sometimes tension or reaction to the suture can cause this, be sure to keep the area clean and dry for a faster recovery, if its taking too long to close your surgeon may need to remove that tissue and close the wound again. Be sure to follow all your surgeons instructions and discuss treatment options.
I hope this helps, best regards 

It looks to me as though there is increasing tension on that area.  Think about what you are doing that could be causing the edges to separate.  It will close over time no matter what but the edges have some slough that needs to be debrided to hasten healing.  if you just keep treating as you are that will work but it will take a bit longer. 

This wound is probably a combination of tension and sutures "working their way to the surface".  I don't see any infectious worries.  Most docs would likely just have you apply some antibiotic ointment or Aquaphor to the wounds several times a day and was with soap and water daily, but your surgeon can give you instructions specific to you.  Should heal up eventually and may even be better looking than you would think at this point.  

Thank you for your question.  Slight separation of wound edges may occur secondary to tension, swelling, diminished blood supply.  Reviewing your photos, it appears that you are healing well.  Continue with follow ups with your plastic surgeon. Keep the wound clean, use anti-biotic ointment. This should heal over time

It seems like you have a small amount of fat necrosis which means that the fat underneath the skin died. This does not represent an infection although it could potentially become one. It is usually treated with local wound care. I would refer you back to your surgeon and ask him how to treat. Good luckDr PG

Sometimes the pulling on the tight closure can cause some separation.  This can happen and when it does, your surgeon will probably treat it conservatively as the body closes the wound and the healing occurs.  It is important to follow up with your surgeon to assure that proper management is provided.