Tiny hole on my belly button ? (photos)

Question

I am 3 months post op from a Tummy tuck & at 7 weeks I noticed a small hole around my belly button incision. It's now been over a month & it is still there. There isn't any redness, odor or otherwise sign of infection. I am now wondering if this is how my belly button has healed? I also saw a hair growing from the hole a few days ago & I just poked it out thinking that was Why It wouldnt close. Also every couple days I notice a tiny amount of white substance that came out of the hole.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

This seem to be a small granuloma (local infection around suture or hair follicle) or a fistula. Evaluation and treatment by your surgeon would be your best option. Good luck.

Kirsty Boyd, MD, FRCSC · Answer

There can be a number of factors that lead to a small hole in an incision. 1. When dissolveable sutures are used, you can end up with a small stitch abscess that can drain a small amount and can cause an opening.2. You can have a small inclusion cyst.  This occurs when cells from the outermost layer of the skin get trapped inside an incision.  Because those cells keep dividing and turning over, they produce a white substance that can often be expressed out of the hole or can come out spontaneously.3. You can develop a fluid collection that works its way out to the surface of the skin.  This is most often a seroma, but can also be a hematoma or an abscess.  In this case, a tunnel from the outside down to the fluid forms and is called a fistula.4. Sebaceous cysts form from sweat glands and can occur in an incision if a sweat gland was cut (less likely in this location)5. Pilar cysts can form from hair follicles.  Similar to an ingrown hair, a hair follicle can be trapped in the incision.  This might account for pulling a hair out of the hole.6. You can develop a depression that looks like a hole.  The top layer of skin is called epidermis. Sometimes if the edges of an incision aren't lined up perfectly, there can be a step or irregularity in the incision.  Once the scar forms new epidermis, the contour will stay that way.  Similar to a pierced ear, where the tract stays open because there is new epidermis lining the hole, you can have a depression in the incision.In any event, it is worth seeing your surgeon to have the wound assessed and treated.  This is most-likely a minor issue and can likely be resolved easily. Good luck!

Tiny hole on my belly button ? (photos)

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Tiny hole on my belly button ? (photos)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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