I went to my surgeon immediately when I noticed. He told me this sometimes happens. He said it will heal itself and just be a neusence for a few weeks. His instructions were to shower, dry the area, put some zinc gauze on it, and cover it with a pad to keep the drainage off my clothes. He said to do this once per day. Is there anything else I should be doing? Can I live normally? I feel the need to be hunched over to stop it from opening anymore. How long until the drainage should stop? Thank you!
Answer: I just had a tummy tuck 16 days ago and I'm experiencing wound dehiscence on my incision. What do I do? Will it affect my scar? I'm sorry to hear about the complication you have experienced. Yes, incision line separation and/or wound healing problems may occur after tummy tuck (or any other type of plastic surgical procedure). It may take several weeks to heal with dressing changes. It may help you in the future to know that the wound may look worse before it begins to look better. Generally, patients do well but may require scar revision surgery down the line. As far as oral intake, I suggest a well balanced diet including sufficient protein, vitamins/minerals… Staying flexed at the waistline may be helpful if there is tension upon the incision line. I would suggest that you continue to follow-up closely with your plastic surgeon; sometimes removal of exposed sutures and/or unhealthy tissue allows for expedited healing. Best wishes; most patients who experience these types of postoperative complications, go on to be very pleased with the longer-term outcome of the procedure performed.
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Answer: I just had a tummy tuck 16 days ago and I'm experiencing wound dehiscence on my incision. What do I do? Will it affect my scar? I'm sorry to hear about the complication you have experienced. Yes, incision line separation and/or wound healing problems may occur after tummy tuck (or any other type of plastic surgical procedure). It may take several weeks to heal with dressing changes. It may help you in the future to know that the wound may look worse before it begins to look better. Generally, patients do well but may require scar revision surgery down the line. As far as oral intake, I suggest a well balanced diet including sufficient protein, vitamins/minerals… Staying flexed at the waistline may be helpful if there is tension upon the incision line. I would suggest that you continue to follow-up closely with your plastic surgeon; sometimes removal of exposed sutures and/or unhealthy tissue allows for expedited healing. Best wishes; most patients who experience these types of postoperative complications, go on to be very pleased with the longer-term outcome of the procedure performed.
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January 22, 2017
Answer: Tummy Tuck Complications I would recommend seeing your surgeon frequently until the wound is healed. You will likely need an in office debridement (minor procedure to remove the tissue that's not healthy looking) and packing for 4-6 weeks. In the end, the scar will be fine. If it's not ideal, you can have it revised under local in the office at 3 months. Hang in there!
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January 22, 2017
Answer: Tummy Tuck Complications I would recommend seeing your surgeon frequently until the wound is healed. You will likely need an in office debridement (minor procedure to remove the tissue that's not healthy looking) and packing for 4-6 weeks. In the end, the scar will be fine. If it's not ideal, you can have it revised under local in the office at 3 months. Hang in there!
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April 9, 2016
Answer: Tummy tuck wound breakdown Thank you for your picture. I'm sorry that you're going through this. Your surgeon is right it can happen at times. Slightly hunching over will not prevent for opening up any further. It does need to be debrided and it will heal on its own by filling from the bottom up. The scar can be revised at a later date
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April 9, 2016
Answer: Tummy tuck wound breakdown Thank you for your picture. I'm sorry that you're going through this. Your surgeon is right it can happen at times. Slightly hunching over will not prevent for opening up any further. It does need to be debrided and it will heal on its own by filling from the bottom up. The scar can be revised at a later date
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May 28, 2019
Answer: Wound issues after abdominoplasty can be protracted because of poor blood supply. The area where your wound resides is a place where there is very poor blood supply immediately after in abdominoplasty. Usually these will heal with time but it may take several weeks. A scar revision in the future may or may not be necessary.
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May 28, 2019
Answer: Wound issues after abdominoplasty can be protracted because of poor blood supply. The area where your wound resides is a place where there is very poor blood supply immediately after in abdominoplasty. Usually these will heal with time but it may take several weeks. A scar revision in the future may or may not be necessary.
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Answer: Dehiscence Sorry to read about this, thanks for your question and photos.You were certainly correct about calling your surgeon to begin treatment of this complication. Your instructions seem appropriate. Hopefully they are accompanied by regular follow up visits to the surgeon for close follow up. There may be needed some trimming of unhealthy tissue--it looks like there is some in the posted photo. Chances are that the scar will be 6 weeks or so behind the other side in healing. Once healed, it may look fine, or it may need a minor touch up that usually requires just local anesthesia. All the best.
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Answer: Dehiscence Sorry to read about this, thanks for your question and photos.You were certainly correct about calling your surgeon to begin treatment of this complication. Your instructions seem appropriate. Hopefully they are accompanied by regular follow up visits to the surgeon for close follow up. There may be needed some trimming of unhealthy tissue--it looks like there is some in the posted photo. Chances are that the scar will be 6 weeks or so behind the other side in healing. Once healed, it may look fine, or it may need a minor touch up that usually requires just local anesthesia. All the best.
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