How do you prevent your tummy tuck incision from opening?

Question

I find that so many people have issues with their tummy tuck incisions reopening post op. Is this an issue of not following physican instruction on discharge or poor surgical technique?

R. Brannon Claytor, MD, FACS · Answer

Optimally following surgery there are clear instructions that have been going over with a patient by the surgeon and or the office nurse to help guide the patient through this unfamiliar territory. It is not uncommon for an abdominal binder to be worn for upwards of a month. Some surgeons  use drains in the postoperative period and this adds to the care maintenance in the recovery period. Following post surgical instructions and following up with the surgeon for the postop visits are in the central part of the entire surgical treatment. Nutrition is also important in the postoperative period to ensure maximum wound healing and this is important leading up to the surgery as well. In terms of smoking if a patient is smoking in the postoperative. This will dramatically increase wound complications and worsen the quality of the scars.

Christian Subbio, MD · Answer

Tummy tuck opening should be a rare occurrence.  In a properly selected patient, with excellent technique, that should not happen very frequently at all.Best of luck!
Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Causes contributing to opening incisions include straining too much and too early after surgery, preexisting health conditions and poor lifestyle habits (smoking). It is not a common complication for my patients.

Amy Simon, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your
question regarding the incision after a tummy tuck.  There are numerous
factors that can contribute to or prevent this.  Be sure and follow the
postop instructions of your board-certified plastic surgeon.  Also note
that such issues are much more common in people who are diabetic and people who
smoke and patients who are obese.  However, it can certainly occur in
anyone, particularly if you are doing too much in terms of physical
activity.  Be sure and discuss with your board-certified plastic
surgeon.  Hope this information is helpful to you.  Best of luck!

Arthur W. Perry, MD, FACS · Answer

If your incision was closed properly and you refrain from exercise and sex for three weeks postop, you should not have issues with your incision.  Of course, that means you do not have diabetes, or smoke, or have other healing issues.  Your surgeon should not remove so much skin that the wound would be in danger of opening.

How do you prevent your tummy tuck incision from opening?

Answers (8)

Answer: Incision after a tummy tuck in Melbourne, FL.

Answer: Incision after a tummy tuck in Melbourne, FL.

Answer: Tummy tuck incision care

Answer: Tummy tuck incision care

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How do you prevent your tummy tuck incision from opening?

Answers (8)

Answer: Incision after a tummy tuck in Melbourne, FL.

Answer: Incision after a tummy tuck in Melbourne, FL.

Answer: Tummy tuck incision care

Answer: Tummy tuck incision care

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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.