What Do I Do About Skin Separation Below Belly Button After Tummy Tuck? (photo)

You are treating this properly--except to remove the source of the problem! I have seen this in patients who wear their abdominal binder or elastic compression garment so tight is "folds" the skin and causes superficial skin loss. There was never an incision  or scar here, but your photos clearly show the loss of the skin surface, and the above hypothesis is quite likely the culprit.

Unless you stop the extra-firm compression (verify with your surgeon that this is OK), this could end up with a small permanent mark. Please let it heal without creasing this area; it should reepithelialize rapidly without continuous compression/folding. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Your pictures suggest a relatively superficial separation of
the skin beneath the umbilicus.The
umbilicus itself appears to be intact and not involved with the process.At this point, there’s no evidence of
infection.The cause of this wound isn’t
clear but it may be related to tissue ischemia.At this
time, simple wound care is appropriate.In this case, dressing changes with polysporin is probably
appropriate.It’s important to consult
your plastic surgeon as soon as possible so he can evaluate the wound and
institute appropriate treatment.

Thanks for your ? and pic. Looks like it is almost healed. Difficult to say what caused it, but I agree with the others in that it doesn't look like an incision that separated. I would continue your ointment and gauze but don't let it get too soupy with too much ointment. You are really just trying to keep it from getting too dry. Your plastic surgeon will probably have a better answer for you during your next visit. Best of Luck!

The picture demonstrates a modest wound healing issue just below the umbilicus. With proper one care this should heal properly.

Thank you for your question and photo.  The small area of skin should be kept clean and covered with antibiotic ointment and a dressing.  Schedule an apointment to discuss with your surgeon.  It should heal well. Best wishes.

This is not uncommon and appears to minimal.  The to all wounds small or large is keeping them clean so you dont develop and infection.  Soap and water!  Then keep it from getting dry with things like Aquaphor and it should heal with minimal noticeable scaring

 

 

After assessing your picture, it looks as if there was a verticle scar inferior to the belly button.  What could possibly have happened, is the post-operative edema caused the scar to spread.  Another reason could be related you possibly being genetically inclined to have hypertrophic scarring.  Hypertrophic scarring is a wide or thickened scar.  Either way, it is too early to undergo a scar revision.  Also, it is really too early to even assess for a revision.  After the inflammatory process ceases, the scar may be better.  I usually wait at the least 3 months, and preferably 6 months before doing a scar revision after surgery.  Also, if it is hypertrophic or keloid scarring, it can be treated with injections of Kenalog (steroid) and this usually helps to flatten.  The worse case scenerio is to revise the scar under local anesthesia at a later date.  This could be compared to excision of a lesion or mole, taking less than thirty minutes.  Try not to worry about it at this early date.

small areas of wound healing problems such as shown by you is very common. It is caused mostly by affect of swelling on skin circulation around the umbilicus. These wound heal well and without any noticable scars if the wounds are cleaned with with soap and water and moisterized with Vaseline.

   Keep the area clean.  I have not seen this after tummy tuck at the belly button, but it should heal in and contract nicely.  This should be a fine scar over time.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Not much more than wound care usually. First, let your surgeon know so they can assess the situation completely. If it is simply just a small wound usually helped with soap and water followed by a small bandage with a little antibiotic ointment. I do not prefer for my patients to use Neosporin.! I encourage them to use any other antibiotic ointment because in my experience I have seen Neosporin cause a sever inflammatory reaction in the wound in many people making it look worse than it is. I prefer some other type of antibiotic ointment, but any will do.