Discharge After Tummy Tuck an Infection?

Question

I don't think this is normal: I had a Tummy Tuck done 10 days ago and there's some clear discharge. That small hole with the yellow inside scares me. I don't have fever, but I suspect it's an infection.  I'm really worried. I have been putting some neosporin in the last two days but it feels like it's getting worse. Please help!

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

You did not specify where this is coming from? The belly button or the incision.
In either case, you can have clear discharge which typcially comes from one of two sources:

If it is clear, yellow and slightly oily, it may be a sign of some fat necrosis which does occur particularly in the central portion of the incision. This is associated with firmness of the surrounding tissues but is NOT a sign of infection
If it is clear and yellow orange, it also could be a self draining seroma, a collection of serum (clear portion of the blood). This also is not an infection but has the potential to become infected and should be drained or monitored.

In any case, seek your surgeon's attention to assess and treat if necessary.
I hope this helps!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, MayraC. Thank you for your question regarding discharge after your tummy tuck.

It is not uncommon to experience some discharge following a tummy tuck. Clear or slightly yellow discharge can be a normal part of the healing process. However, the presence of a small hole with yellow inside, combined with your concern that it might be getting worse, warrants close attention.

Since you are worried about a potential infection, it is crucial to get in touch with your plastic surgeon as soon as possible. Signs of infection can include:

Persistent or increasing redness around the incision
Warmth to the touch
Swelling
Pain that does not improve or worsens
Fever (even though you do not have one currently)
Your surgeon can evaluate whether the discharge you are experiencing is part of the normal healing process or if it indicates an infection that requires treatment. Applying Neosporin is a good initial step, but a professional evaluation is essential to ensure proper healing and to avoid complications.

In the meantime, continue keeping the area clean and follow any postoperative care instructions provided by your surgeon. Avoid applying any new products or medications to the area without consulting your doctor.

Good luck, and I hope this helps address your concerns regarding discharge after your tummy tuck.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Photos would be helpful.    Contact your Plastic surgeon for and examination and follow his/her recommendations. Good Luck

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

It’s not unusual for patients to have small areas of
incisional breakdown following abdominoplasty. This situation is often
accompanied by serous drainage from the wound. This fluid is often straw
colored and passes through the areas of breakdown. In most cases these wounds
heal without difficulty and the drainage stops.Although
there doesn’t appear to be any evidence that this wound is infected this
situation can change rapidly. If fluid can get out, bacteria can get in. For
this reason it’s important to consult your surgeon as soon as possible. Your
surgeon may perform an ultrasound study to rule out the presence of a seroma.
In some cases he may elect to start prophylactic antibiotics. By taking this
approach more significant complications can be avoided.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

It is common for there to be discharge after your tummy tuck, even 10 days after your surgery. If it's clear or even pinkish it is generally fine. However, you should ask your surgeon about it if you are concerned.

Steven H. Williams, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question -
There can be some drainage associated with abdominoplasty in the immediate recovery.  Most plastic surgeons use drains for a portion of the immediate post-op period to control some of this fluid and remove it from the space created during an abdominoplasty.
If there is no redness, warmth and if you're not having fevers these argue against infection but you should ALWAYS see your plastic surgeon with issues like this.  An in person evaluation by your treating surgeon is the only way to insure you're getting appropriate care.
I hope this helps.

Gary Motykie, MD · Answer

It is normal to have a
little bit of drainage after the drain has removed.  The skin wound will need a few days to fully
close and until that happens some fluid can leak.  However, there should not be a large amount
of drainage, nor bright red blood.   If
this happens, go see your surgeon immediately.

Christopher L. Hess, MD · Answer

What you're describing is a small wound breakdown likely secondary to blood supply, serum and surgery.  Don't worry this is not uncommon.  The fluid is normal serous or body fluid that is coming out of the wound that developed due to tissue breakdown. 
Long and short of it is you will be fine as only as you continue to use the Newsprint or Bestirring and wait for the tissue to heal.  In fact these wounds usually don't scar any differently than the original incision.  So take heart, you'll be fine.

Sirish Maddali, MD · Answer

Drainage after a tummy tuck is not a common occurrence. Drainage 10 days after the procedure could indicate an infection or a seroma (fluid build up). An infection typically presents with some or all of the following: fever, redness, increased pain around the area, yellowish discharge that is usually thick, hardness of the tissue around the area, an opening in the wound.  A seroma typically presents with some or all of the following: redness, hardness around the area, thin yellow or clear discharge, a small wound opening.
Many surgeons use a drainage tube when they do tummy tucks to collect excess fluid and try to prevent a seroma.  If you did not have drainage tubes, and you developed a seroma, it is likely coming out of a small opening... which is usually a good thing since we do not want that fluid trapped inside! 
In either case, this is not something we can evaluate over the internet. Please see your surgeon.  Good luck.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD · Answer

If it is clear yellow fluid coming out of a drain hole, it is probably serous fluid. It is a good thing that it is coming out rather collecting inside. This is normal for a few days after a drain is pulled. If it is more like chicken broth with fat droplets, it could be a little liquified fat. Infection is usually opaque white or green. In any case, do not rely on email advice. Go see your surgeon.

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