I had a TT 11 days ago. Should I be removing the packing from my belly button? (Photo)

Question

I had a TT 11 days ago. Should I be removing the packing from my belly button? I did once about 3 days ago and it looked really bad...with lots of black crust. I tried cleaning it but I freaked out. I just re packed it and covered it with a sterile gauze

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your concerns with us.The packing from your belly button can be remove if your plastic surgeon authorized you to do it. Generally you can cure your navel using hyssop and washing it with oxygenated water and chlorhexidine. Sometimes patients confuse a crusted blood with devitalized tissue and the oxygenated water helps to remove it. I suggest to talk about with your plastic surgeon about what is going on and follow his advices.Hope you get well soon,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,It is difficult to assess with photos what is going on under the old blood. Were you able to get time specific instructions from your Plastic Surgeon?  I recommend that you have a Plastic Surgeon or a qualified Doctor see you in person for follow up and wound care as soon as possible, before you develop a problem, rather than guessing. Take care

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

It is not unusual to form crusting or eschar around the umbilicus incisions.  For now use antibiotic ointment on the incision and this should gradually clear up.  Follow any other instructions from your surgeon.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions and photographs, and congratulations on your surgery!  It appears that your belly button is having some difficulty in getting enough blood, causing it to have wound healing difficulties.  I would speak with your surgeon to discuss their preferred method of care.  Until then maintain it packed and covered.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

As an out of town patient ALWAYS best to call your surgeon, Dr Ortega, for his protocols as to post op care. But it sounds like you can not reach him since you used a "clinica" as the surgery site where he is a surgeon employee. His phone # is on goggle so you just have to call his private office for advise. Otherwise seek in person consultation with a local boarded PSs in your community, there might be a fee charge to render this care from a non operative surgeon. But you need close follow up. FYI in my patients it is extremely unusual to leave umbilical packing in pass 5 days... As for a review of your posted photos very hard to tell if crust is just old blood or umbilical necrosis, thus being seen after surgery is as important as doing the surgery! Good Luck.

I had a TT 11 days ago. Should I be removing the packing from my belly button? (Photo)

Answers (5)

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