Drain site infection? What’s the white tissue? What’s the yellow discharge that stains the gauze? (Photos)

Question

I got a tummy tuck 32 days ago the drain was removed on day 13th. The scabbed closed but then a stich was coming out the doctor removed the scab. He called it detriment and then told me I didn’t have an infection and that I could shower and just cover it with gauze and clean only with water and mild soap. It’s been 3 days since he removed scab and did debriment... I’m so scared how is this looking? Only stains a tiny bit.

Daniel Careaga, MD · Answer

Skin and tissue around drains usually get a little inflamed since the drain was irritating it for several days.  Anytime there is an open wound, no matter how small, there will be a little discharge on your gauze.   The colored stuff in the wound you are seeing is a combination of dead cells and dry fat.  If it were infected there would be redness of the skin around it and it does not appear that there is.  Local wound care with dressing changes per your surgeon's instructions should allow this to heal in very well.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

It is hard to say if this is an infection without more information - you should see your surgeon for a proper assessment.

Drain site infection? What’s the white tissue? What’s the yellow discharge that stains the gauze? (Photos)

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