Will my belly button ever close and stop leaking fluid? 2 months post-op.

Question

Im two months post of tummy tuck and lipo . Im still leaking fluid from my belly button at times it looks like clear yellow clear reddish and maybe at times clear greenish . At night if I let it breathe I wake up with my belly button wet and with a funky smell . If I lay down and squeeze my belly the fluid comes up . Will this ever heel ? Will it ever close ? Should I go to the emergency room to get tested ? I have no pain no fever no signs of infection

Lawrence Iteld, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your situation. By now you should not still have drainage. This suggests that something is not healing properly and can include: sutures spitting or infected, a seroma (fluid collection), the belly button skin necrosis, and several other things. These can all be treated so you can heal properly. Please see you surgeon or another plastic surgeon in your area who can examine you and get things back on course.

Richard Rosenblum, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.    You need to be seen by your operating surgeon,  he/she are familiar with you and your surgical procedure and can help you resolve this issue.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.
I would recommend that you discuss this question with your surgeon so he/she can examine you and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan at this time.  Every surgeon has their own respective post op protocol for his/her patients.  Your surgeon is your best resource as he/she is most familiar with your medical history and how you are healing at this time.  
The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.
Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.
Best of luck!
Dr. Schwartz
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
#RealSelf100Surgeon

Luke J. Curtsinger, MD · Answer

What you describe sounds like you have a partially drained seroma, and if the seroma pocket is below the BB, then the fluid is flowing 'up-hill' to drain.  Sometimes this can get secondarily infected, which can mean redness, fever or funky smell.  See your PS soon, not the emergency room This may need better drainage to clear this up, but hard to say without an exam.

Leon Goldstein, MD · Answer

At 2 months drainage from the umbilicus is not normal. Multiple reasons for the drainage include retained suture, epidermal / dermal cyst, localized infection, necrotic tissue, partially buried skin of the belly button and many more!!!You need to see an ASPS surgeon for thorough evaluation.

Will my belly button ever close and stop leaking fluid? 2 months post-op.

Answers (8)

Answer: Incompletely draining Seroma

Answer: Incompletely draining Seroma

Answer: Belly button leaking fluid

Answer: Belly button leaking fluid

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Will my belly button ever close and stop leaking fluid? 2 months post-op.

Answers (8)

Answer: Incompletely draining Seroma

Answer: Incompletely draining Seroma

Answer: Belly button leaking fluid

Answer: Belly button leaking fluid

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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.