Tummy Tuck scar healing with holes and incision that won't close - revision options? (photos)

I continue to encourage patients to not travel long distances for elective surgical procedures and this is especially true for major operations like a tummy tuck.

This procedure requires postoperative follow up and management.

When a aroma is found it should be treated on a daily basis until it no little longer forms.

Once a seroma has become chronic it becomes encapsulated and can no longer be treated by simply having it drained on a regular basis.

Sclerosing seroma cavities does not work as you probably know by now.

A chronic seroma has developed a capsule and the only way to remove it is to surgically excise the capsule then collapse the pocket with a drain.

What’s your history of infections and open spaces for bacteria to grow combined with foreign bodies from the suture material you are in a difficult position.

This should be managed by the surgeon who did your procedure and it requires continuous wound care and proper treatment of the seroma.

At this point there may be infected or contaminated pockets that require extensive wound care and it may be necessary to open your entire abdominal wall in order to get the wound to close and infection under control.

Your surgeon is responsible for your well-being and you are responsible for choosing that surgeon.

At this point there’s no way an out-of-state surgeon can properly manage your postoperative care and you are now going to need to find someone in your community to help you out.

This is the price patients pay when they decide to travel for elective surgical procedures. Patient did not seem to understand the importance of having in person consultations, they need for in person follow up, that complications actually do happen or the number of people who end up needing revisions.

I suggest you start calling local plastic surgeons and ask if someone is willing to take on your care.

It would be reasonable for a plastic surgeon to be compensated for doing the postoperative management in your case since it is highly complex and will most likely take several months.

Alternatively you can follow up with your provider in Florida and ask him or her to take care of you.

I wish I could be more optimistic about your situation but the decision making and postoperative care in your case has been subpar.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD