23 days post-op. What could this red, hard spot be? (Photo)

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding the red, hard spot above your body lift incision at 23 days post-op. I appreciate your history and the details you’ve provided.

At this stage of healing, localized redness, warmth, and firmness in an area near your incision could be due to several possibilities. The most common causes include localized inflammation, a small seroma (fluid collection), a hematoma (pocket of blood), fat necrosis (damaged fat cells hardening under the skin), or a mild infection.

Your surgeon’s initial reassurance that it wasn’t a major concern and the recommendation to massage the area suggests it may be something mild like fat necrosis or a small, resolving seroma. However, since the spot hasn’t improved after a few days, placing you on antibiotics as a precaution was a good decision. If it’s an early infection, antibiotics can prevent it from worsening.

If you continue to notice increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pain, or if the area starts draining pus or fluid, it’s essential to follow up with a local doctor or urgent care. If you develop fever, chills, or spreading redness, seek medical attention immediately.

Given that your plastic surgeon is out of state, I recommend keeping in close contact with their office, sending updated pictures as needed, and seeking a local plastic surgeon or wound care specialist if concerns persist. It’s reassuring that you’re already on antibiotics, but continue monitoring for any changes.

Good luck with your recovery! I hope this information helps you feel more at ease about what’s happening and what to watch for. If you have any further concerns, don’t hesitate to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Thank you for your inquiry and photos. Usually redness accompanied with warmth can be a sign of an infection starting. Since your physician prescribed anti-biotics, I would wait a few more days to see if the redness subsides. It can take a few days for the anti-biotics to kick in. Continue with the bathing instructions as instructed by your physician to keep the incisions clean and follow up with him/her if there is any change, whether it is for better or worse.