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

Question

Tummy Tuck done 12/8 in Miami.Then developed a seroma. Went back to Miami redid the tummy tuck To fix seroma on 2/24. Now I have a bunch of holes and my incision won’t close. The surgeon doesn’t give me much feedback only keep covered and antibiotics. I feel broken and need advice. Can’t go back to Miami.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Please see a board certified plastic surgeon closer to you as soon as you can. This issue requires immediate attention so that the wound closes properly.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Recommend seeing Infectious Disease and local boarded Plastic Surgeon. You need aggressive wound care. After wounds healed then consider if further TT scar revision is indicated. My over the Real Self internet is a contaminated closure or out of date sutures.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Post operative care is essential after a tummy tuck.  I encourage you to continue to try to communicate with your surgeon for specific instructions for treatment.  If you are unable to return to Miami ask your surgeon if there is a colleague near your home that you can see.  If not you will want to visit with another board certified plastic surgeon near you for care.  Please note you will need to pay for the services of a different surgeon.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

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

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

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