I am going to be having tummy tuck and breast augmentation next month. Wondering how best to prevent openings from occurring?

Thank you for your question about minimizing wound opening after a tummy tuck and breast lift. Four key things would help to minimize wound opening after a tummy tuck and breast lift or mastopexy. These four items are: minimizing activity after the procedure. In plastic surgery, there is a strain on the tissue and a significant amount of tension in the tissue. If you move around too much during a recovery period, you can cause too much strain on the incision and cause wound openings. Therefore, limit your activity after a tummy tuck and breast lift. The second factor in minimizing wound breakdown is ingesting at least 100 grams of protein daily after your procedure. Most patients cannot eat this amount of protein after their surgery. Instead, I suggest you use protein shakes and protein drinks to achieve 100 grams of protein or more daily. Protein helps the body to heal quickly and minimizes wound breakdown. Another way to minimize wound breakdown is to stop smoking three months before the procedure. If you smoked before the procedure, I would suggest you never smoke again after the procedure. Cigarettes contain carbon monoxide and nicotine. Carbon monoxide prevents oxygen from getting into tissues.
Furthermore, nicotine causes vaser constriction and prevents oxygen from reaching the wound's edges. Therefore smoking increases your chances of wound breakdown. Another way to minimize wound breakdown is to go in a hyperbaric chamber for several sessions after your procedure. Hyperbaric chambers infuse oxygen into the tissue, minimizing tissue loss and wound breakdown. Steristrips do not significantly minimize wound breakdown. In my experience, they make it worse. In my experience, the adhesive material in steristrips causes blisters and can aggravate wound breakdown. Silicone gel sheeting and silicone cream do not minimize wound breakdown. After the incision is healed, you can apply silicone creams to minimize scarring. Silicone cream is usually applied 6-8 weeks after the surgery when the incision is healed. I hope this helps answer your question regarding ways to minimize wound opening after a tummy tuck and breast lift.
If you have any more questions regarding reconstructive surgery after massive weight loss, please contact my office. Reconstructive surgeries after massive weight loss include an abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, thigh lift, breast lift, mastopexy, arm lift, brachioplasty, torsoplasty, back lift, buttock augmentation, and buttock lift. Since these reconstructive surgeries after massive weight loss, are big procedures, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of lifts. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 of each procedure you are considering for reconstructive surgery after massive weight loss. Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.

Thank you for submitting your questions! Steri strips should automatically be applied to your breast incisions after surgery and are to stay in place for the first week. Silicone scar sheets and/or scar cream can be applied at two weeks post-op. Prioritize protein after surgery and complete dressing changes to ensure you're healing properly and that will prevent openings.

Hello and thank you for your question.
Please follow your surgeons instructions. Do not apply anything to the surgical area without speaking to your surgeon first. Best wishes!.

Thank you for your question.
With surgeries such as a breast augmentation or abdominoplasty, your surgeon will place multiple layers of sutures to ensure that the incisions will heal properly. While there is always a small chance of the incisions opening, post-operative care such as wearing the proper post-operative garments, staying away from nicotine products, and not heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling will help give your body the best chances at healing. You can begin to use scar care products such as tape and cream once your incisions are full healed. I recommend speaking with your plastic surgeon for their preferences on scar care and post-operative care.

Thank you for your question regarding preventing "openings" after surgery. First of all, congratulations on your upcoming procedures! That is so exciting!

In my practice, I reinforce all incisions with either a surgical glue or steri strips.

For specific questions like this and about your recovery in general, it is best to speak directly with your doctor or doctor’s representative – such as his or her nurse, or the physician on call for the practice.

You will likely get many differing opinions from members of the RealSelf Community, but they have not personally seen or examined you. Nobody should know you or your unique set of circumstances better than your doctor.

Best wishes!

Dear jenobarnp,
I understand your concern. It is best that you consult your plastic surgeon regarding post operative care and management (i.e including massage techniques and timing) specific to your case. Your surgeon knows your condition well and has preferences on when and what to use for faster healing and recovery. Post operative care and management depends on the type of surgery performed and the technique used during surgery among other factors.It is best, however, that you follow your plastic surgeon's advice on post operative care management for a smooth and faster healing and recovery.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello @jenobarnp, thank you for your question. The best way to prevent openings is to follow your surgeon recommendations. This is because he knows what type of technique he or she used and how he or she performed the procedure. For more information and recommendations, it is prudent to consult with one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS.

Preventing openings (wound dehiscence) after tummy tuck and breast augmentation surgery is crucial for a smooth recovery. Here are some tips:1. Follow your surgeon’s instructions: Carefully adhere to your surgeon’s pre and post-operative guidelines. This includes medications, activity restrictions, and wound care.2. Keep incisions clean: Keep incisions clean and dry as per your surgeon’s recommendations. Avoid exposing them to excessive moisture.3. Avoid smoking and nicotine: Smoking can impede healing. It’s advisable to quit smoking or avoid nicotine products before and after surgery.4. Maintain a healthy diet: Proper nutrition helps with healing. Consume a balanced diet rich in vitamins and protein.5. Manage chronic conditions: If you have any chronic health conditions like diabetes, ensure they are well-controlled.6. Avoid strenuous activities: Follow your surgeon’s advice on when it’s safe to resume physical activities. Avoid heavy lifting during the initial recovery period.7. Monitor for signs of infection: Watch for signs like increased redness, swelling, or discharge around the incisions. Report any concerns to your surgeon promptly.8. Support garments: Use compression garments as recommended to reduce swelling and support incisions.9. Stay hydrated: Proper hydration is essential for healing.10. Rest and sleep: Give your body the rest it needs to recover. Proper sleep is crucial.Remember, your surgeon will provide specific instructions tailored to your care, so be sure to discuss any concerns or questions with them.

Steristrips do not provide much strength but silicone tapes and sheets can certainly help the scar as it heals and help to get a softer and flatter scar.

The best thing you can do to have an optimal recovery is closely listen to the post op instructions from your surgeon. Do not place steri strips on your incision unless instructed to do so by your surgeon. There are various different scar treatments you can use. I encourage you to speak to your surgeon about Brijjit, Embrace Scar Therapy, and silicone strips to get her/his opinion.