Bleeding Incision After Tummy Tuck

Although your concern is understandable, superficial separation of the incision line after tummy tuck surgery can occur and usually heals without  affecting the long-term outcome of the procedure.  This healing process may take a few weeks to occur. Usually, re- suturing is not necessary and may expose you to the risk of infection…Close follow-up with your plastic surgeon (and patience) will be important. Sometimes removal of an exposed suture and/or removal of unhealthy tissue expedites healing. Best wishes;  hopefully you will be very pleased with the long-term outcome of the coming of procedure.  

Hello Tori70, thank you for your question regarding bleeding at your incision site after a tummy tuck.

At 10 days post-tummy tuck, it’s not uncommon to experience some minor bleeding or oozing from the incision sites, especially if you're using a back brace that might be putting pressure on the area. However, it’s important to differentiate between minor bleeding and more serious issues.

Minor bleeding or spotting can occur as part of the healing process, especially if the tape or dressing over the incision has shifted or if there has been some friction from the brace or clothing. This can be considered normal. You might notice small spots of blood on your dressing or tape, which can be due to normal healing processes or slight trauma to the area.

However, if you notice the following, you may be doing too much or there might be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed:

Continuous or Heavy Bleeding: If the bleeding is persistent, heavy, or doesn’t stop with gentle pressure, it could indicate a problem.
Increased Pain or Swelling: Significant pain or swelling around the incision site, especially if it’s worsening, could be a sign of infection or other complications.
Signs of Infection: Redness, warmth, or discharge that’s yellow or greenish in color could indicate an infection.
Excessive Activity: Overexerting yourself too soon after surgery can put strain on the incisions and underlying tissues, potentially causing bleeding or other complications.
Given your situation, it’s important to follow these steps:

Rest: Ensure you’re not overexerting yourself and follow your surgeon’s recommendations on activity levels.
Monitor: Keep an eye on the bleeding. If it remains minor and stops, it’s likely not a significant issue.
Contact Your Surgeon: If you experience any of the concerning symptoms mentioned above or if you’re unsure about the bleeding, contact your plastic surgeon immediately for advice.
Your surgeon may want to see you for an examination to ensure everything is healing properly and to rule out any complications.

Good luck with your recovery, and I hope this helps answer your question regarding bleeding after a tummy tuck.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

It sounds as if the irritation of the suture line caused the bleeding. As long as the wound has not opened or is demonstrating increased redness or swelling, I do not beleive there is cause for concern. Make your surgeon aware. Occasionally a light application of peroxide, if permitted, will cleanse the dried blood.