Why Do I Have an Odor with a Yellowish Discharge Draining in my Belly Button 3 Weeks Post Op from a Full Tummy Tuck? (photo)

Question

I had surgery on December 28, 2012. I have an excellent plastic surgeon, but I am concerned with my belly button. It was infected at my 1 week post op appointment and I was again placed on antibiotics for 10 more days. My belly button seemed to be doing great until I finished the medication. Now I have got the same smelly discharge draining in my belly button. Any suggestions? Adding pictures. Also, does everything else look normal?

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

It is not uncommon to have a little bit of drainage from the belly three weeks after your tummy tuck.  Usually this is because part of your belly button is taking longer to heal after the stress of surgery.  The key things to look for are increasing redness, pain, swelling, fevers or chills.  If you have any of those notify your plastic surgeon immediately.  If not, I would let him or her know about the drainage so that they can make sure it is not something more worrisome.  Good luck.

Eric Pugash, MD · Answer

The belly button (umbilicus) can sometimes show delayed healing because of reduced blood supply.

	This results in drainage which can be malodorous.

	I usually recommend showering with chlorhexidine cleanser (Hibitane and the like) and application of an antibiotic cream such as fucidin.

	The other possible factor would be a suture. This can cause drainage until it dissolves or is removed.

	See your surgeon for a check.

	All the best.

Naveen Setty, MD · Answer

Thanks for your pictures and questions.  It sounds like you do need to contact your plastic surgeon again.  Having some smelly discharge from the belly button 3 weeks after surgery is not normal.  However, looking at your pictures that you have submitted, it does not look like you have a really bad infection.  You may just have some drainage from an area where there has been some delayed healing.  You may need some extended dressing changes.  I think you will likely have a very good result long-term.  Good luck!

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

It appears that the belly button has some partial loss due to decreased circulation.  Please revisit with your plastic surgeon and strictly adhere to his/her advice.

	Dr. ES

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

Congratulations on having a great looking tummy tuck.  Your plastic surgeon recognized that you had an apparent infection one week after surgery.  He or she appropriately placed you on antibiotics.  Now, approximately 18 days post surgery, your residual infection has now found its way to the surface at the edge of your belly button.  Your plastic surgeon should have no problem draining this area.  This is usually the last stage of these not uncommon post FTT infections. 

	By placing a simple wick (drain), your plastic surgeon can give the discharge a route of exit from your body, clean up the last little bit of infection, and hasten the healing process.  See your plastic surgeon ASAP.  This is not an unusual or particularly horrible problem, it just needs to be treated and the sooner the better.

Why Do I Have an Odor with a Yellowish Discharge Draining in my Belly Button 3 Weeks Post Op from a Full Tummy Tuck? (photo)

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Answer: Infection Around Belly Button Post FTT - What Do I Do?

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Why Do I Have an Odor with a Yellowish Discharge Draining in my Belly Button 3 Weeks Post Op from a Full Tummy Tuck? (photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Losing Belly Button?

Answer: Losing Belly Button?

Answer: Infection Around Belly Button Post FTT - What Do I Do?

Answer: Infection Around Belly Button Post FTT - What Do I Do?

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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.