Do I Have Necrosis?! My Incision is Not Normal I Know It. (photo)

Question

My dr says I'm healing beautifully but I just have this feeling that I'm not. I'm 8 days post and I have black areas, I'm swollen and budging out of the scar, I'm red, and even oozy in the front as well. What is the black stuff? Is it necrosis I'm very concerned and my dr won't really listen he just says it's fine. I'm really sad and scared by this, this cannot be normal right? I apologize in advance for the blurry pictures.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

The small black areas along the incision line are areas where oxygenation is subpar. Just so you are prepared, sometimes the incision lines may look worse before they look better. In other words, in the next few weeks you may experience some drainage and/or  superficial separation along these areas as well. Keep an eye on the areas of redness and drainage: make sure you let your plastic surgeon know if the redness and/or drainage increases.

	 Otherwise, it is likely that you will go on to heal without long-term sequelae.

	 Best wishes.

B. Kalantarian, MD · Answer

The area that is dark black, most likely is full thickness skin necrosis with possible deeper tissue involvement. Avoid any direct pressure over these areas with compression garment and minimize tension across the incision. Check with your PS, may apply antibiotic ointment (e.g Neosporin, Bacitracin or triple, chose one that you have not had a history of allergy) 2-3 times a day. Keep the area clean at all times (avoid any contamination). Some of the areas of your wound would improve with time but the area with full thickness necrosis may have drainage and will eventually demarcate itself; the dead tissue will have to be removed by your PS followed by local wound care. It is important to follow up closely with your PS and follow his/her instructions. Wish yuo luck.

Benjamin Chu, MD, FACS · Answer

I would say you have spotty areas of skin necrosis.  The level of necrosis will define itself with time.  If you have necrosis do not place the abdominal skin under a lot of pressure such as with a tight binder.  The rest of the incision appears to be healing well but the sewing technique is really sloppy.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

The black areas are non-viable skin, but only a trivial amount, and should not be of concern to you or your surgeon, and should not interfere with the course of normal wound healing. As you note the photos are not quite distinct enough, but the area just adjacent to the blackened areas looks completely normal. The photos are too close up to comment on shape or bulge of the scar, but it looks ok.

	Best wishes.

Gregory Park, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Unfortunately, you do have areas of necrosis. Hopefully, this is limited to the skin surface and does not extend to the deeper tissues. Good wound care is important for optimal healing and prevention of infection. So, follow up closely with your plastic surgeon. Thank you for sharing your photos and concerns. Best wishes.

Do I Have Necrosis?! My Incision is Not Normal I Know It. (photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Do I Have Necrosis?

Answer: Do I Have Necrosis?

Answer: The "black stuff" are areas of necrosis

Answer: The "black stuff" are areas of necrosis

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Do I Have Necrosis?! My Incision is Not Normal I Know It. (photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Do I Have Necrosis?

Answer: Do I Have Necrosis?

Answer: The "black stuff" are areas of necrosis

Answer: The "black stuff" are areas of necrosis

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.