After a Tummy Tuck incision is healed, can it reopen?

Question

I am 3 and half weeks post-op (tummy tuck) and my incision is healed with a few raw spots (smaller than a pencil eraser) Is it safe to say I don't have to worry about it reopening? I seen one person say there's opened after 5 weeks... Also I have tape on my incision do I have to keep it on; does it prevent infection?

Thomas P. Sterry, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, you are not quite out of the woods yet.  Three and a half weeks is certainly pretty good, but wounds can come apart of "dehisce" even at a late stage, so I wouldn't necessarily bank on scar being durable yet.  Of course, with every passing day, you get a little more healed, but I wouldn't go doing any back bends just now - if you know what I mean.  At six weeks I would certainly feel better about it, but in the world of surgery, many strange things are possible - so even then I would take it easy.Not sure about the tape because I don't use it in my practice.  I would check with your surgeon.Good Luck!

Michael Law, MD · Answer

Make an appointment with your plastic surgeon's office right away. They need to hear about any discomfort or unusual healing immediately.

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