Crusty belly button and rippled skin 2.5 weeks post op fTT and lipo of the flanks. (Photos)

Question

My bellybutton is healing more narrow as opposed to round and oval can a scar revision be done once healed? Is it safe to use bacitracin and cover the bellybutton with a Band-Aid during this phase? There is yellow crust inside of it. Will the rippled skin along my incision smooth out over time it has improved some however I'm still not happy with the look of the stretch marks getting caught within the incision line. Will the swelling in the pubic area subside ?? Thanks!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Momcave2017,I understand your concern and it is quite normal to be concerned about the outcome following a TT surgery. However, you are still in the early stages of the healing process.
Your will need to be patient at this moment and follow what your surgeon has instructed you to do post operatively.
At the early stage of the healing process, the tissues are still swollen. Once the swelling subsides you will be able to see the final result of your  surgery. Regarding the belly button, you can get revision surgery once you are fully healed. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Thomas P. Sterry, MD · Answer

At two weeks post tummy tuck this is all expected, please don't worry.  The swelling in your midsection, and especially the lower abdomen makes everything look a bit worse.  Even stretch marks that will eventually become close to imperceptible are highlighted at this stage.  You look just like you should.  I highly recommend continuing to wear your compression garments to help this out a bit.Would love to see a follow up photo at 6 and 12 weeks.  You're gunna love it!Good Luck!

Steven H. Wiener, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos.  Your post-op issues are very common.  Dry skin and flaky is normal, as is the appearance of your belly button.  Discuss with your plastic surgeon your issues, and ask for recommendations.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,Thank you for the question and photos. The puckering you see along the incision is normal at this point and can be expected to smooth out in the months ahead. Stretch marks may appear temporarily worse due to swelling. Your belly button scar may need to be treated- I recommend that you ask your plastic surgeon to assess this in person.All the best

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

2.5 weeks post op is too early to see any final results, you are still swollen and need time to settle , be patient and continue to follow up with your PS.

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the photos and question. Crusting in the belly button is normal; if the opening (lumen) of the belly button is getting tight, your surgeon might consider using a soft earplug or wadded up petrolatum gauze to keep the "well" open. Revising the shape of the belly button after a tummy tuck is possible, though challenging in many cases.The puckering you describe is usually a function of the fact that the upper skin that is being pulled down to the pubic crease may have a longer incision length on that side vs. the lower side. This means the stitching may need to be done in a "pleating" method to match the upper and lower sides of the cut and not have a dogear bulge on either end. Some surgeons close the incisions from the ends inward to the middle to try to limit the length of the final scar but I find this sometimes results in pleating that does not go away. It is a matter of personal preference. The degree of pleating your photos show is pretty mild and often does flatten in time. Talk to your surgeon during your followup visits to make sure the surgeon and you are on the same page about progress.

Matthew H. Steele, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos.  From what I can see, you have a very nice early result.  It is not uncommon to have some crusting along the incision that require vaseline or antibiotic ointment for optimal healing.  Your incision looks normal and the stretch marks appear more prominent due to swelling.  Two weeks is very early in your healing and you will continue to improve over the next few months up to one year.  Good luck.

Thomas C. Wiener, MD (retired) · Answer

Flaking, dry skin and crusting is common with this surgery. An initial narrow appearance to the belly button occurs because of the tissue tension, and may improve over time. The rippled appearing skin is also likely to improve, although the stretch marks will still be visible, although they are now located lower on your abdomen than prior to surgery.Sincerely,Thomas C. Wiener, MDHoustonThis information is not a substitute for a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon

Crusty belly button and rippled skin 2.5 weeks post op fTT and lipo of the flanks. (Photos)

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