I Had a Tummy Tuck 2 Years Ago and my Belly Button Area Never Has Healed! Always Oozes, What is the Problem? (photo)

Question

I had the tummy tuck 2 years ago. Area by belly button still raw. Been to many doctors, including dermatoligist. The last time I saw the plastic surgeon he said go to dermatologist. I have been many times and nothing helps! Last time I saw plastic surgeon he mentioned that a last resort is cutting the area out? Has anyone heard of that before? I am so tired of it not healing. I am not diabetic.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

this is most likely do to the sutures used under the skin on the muscle.

	i wouldn't cut it our but would surgically explore the area to see what is causing the inflamation around the belly button

William Bruno, MD · Answer

Based on your clinical history and the photo, the reason this is not healing is likely due to a non-absorbable suture which is preventing the skin from healing. The photo has the characteristic look of a foreign body reaction with the foreign body likely being a suture. You should have your surgeon evaluate this and possibly explore this under local anesthesia. Once the suture is removed, the wound should heal.

	Best wishes,

	Dr.Bruno

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

A chronic non-healing belly button after a  tummy tuck is a sign of an underlying problem. This may be due to chronic irritation of a knot from a fascial plication suture, a retained knot from a dermal suture used to close the belly button or a portion of the umbilical stalk that is trapped under the skin creating a chronic draining cyst due to epithelial turnover. The cyst problem is the most likely explanation and I have seen several patients who have developed the same problem. At two yeats after your tummy tuck this is a surgical problem. There is an underlying problem and the entire belly button needs to be excised and reclosed for a final solution.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD · Answer

It looks as if you have a chronic low grade infection which could have resulted from a retained suture, like one of the sutures used to bring your muscles together. See a plastic surgeon, and get your old op report.

Craig Harrison, MD · Answer

I assume that you have be followed by your initial plastic surgeon and he sent you to a dermatologist?  Ask your surgeon for a referral to a more experienced plastic surgeon for another opinion.  Without an examine and a working knowledge of your case,  I can only speculate as to how to proceed.  A retained foreign body or suture could cause a none healing wound.  I imagine the dermatologist would have done a biopsy if they were so inclined.  Sorry for your vexing problem. Keep exploring your options!

I Had a Tummy Tuck 2 Years Ago and my Belly Button Area Never Has Healed! Always Oozes, What is the Problem? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Maybe a retained suture

Answer: Maybe a retained suture

Answer: Non-healing umblical wound

Answer: Non-healing umblical wound

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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I Had a Tummy Tuck 2 Years Ago and my Belly Button Area Never Has Healed! Always Oozes, What is the Problem? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Maybe a retained suture

Answer: Maybe a retained suture

Answer: Non-healing umblical wound

Answer: Non-healing umblical wound

Browse related questions

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.