Does it look infected (photos)

Question

I had a spitting suture that I removed it was a dissolving one I believe it was clear like a fishing line. I had my surgery done in Mexico my doctors there. and I'm just concerned because I've been watching my incision on my own I had a extended tummy tuck . With breast lift and implants. when I take a shower it's softens scabs up I'm wondering if I shouldn't not let them get wet

Allen Gabriel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and pics.  Your wound appears to be healing and will continue to heal over the next 2-3 months.  Keep the area clean.  Showering and bathing should not be a problem.  Best of luck.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. It appears that you definitely have something to question, and it would be best taken to your surgeon right away to have the area evaluated in person. Best of luck to you.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your pictures.  In my opinion, it does not appear infected.  I agree with Dr. Schusterman, that you should email your photos to your doctor in Mexico.  Best wishes.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

You chose to undergo surgery in Mexico, but now you are online to get post-op care and advice. No wonder they charge less in foreign countries--there is little to no post op care, and if there are problems, you are on your own (SOL).Fortunately for you, this does not look infected. But I can't really tell without an examination, something my own patients can come in and have any time during their recovery. You may need wound cultures if this gets worse, appropriate antibiotic therapy based on culture results, and wound debridement or implant removal if one or both become infected. Will you return to Mexico for that care?You should have understood the ability (or not) to contact your surgeon for post-op care and advice regarding just these kinds of issues. Online advice is never a substitute for appropriate post-operative care and personal evaluation. You can continue to try to obtain care from your surgeon long-distance, or you can find a fully-trained ABPS-certified plastic surgeon in or close to your community who is willing to assume your care. You should expect to pay for that care, for this is part of the surgical fee paid here in the US that your local consultant did not receive. Since the Mexican surgeon can afford low prices because of providing no or little post-op care, your "savings" via surgical tourism will now need to be used locally.I hope your incisions continue to heal appropriately without further care. And, yes, they should not be soaked or scrubbed. Best wishes and good luck. Dr. Tholen

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photographs. It appears that you have had a small area of incision separation.  Though there are no signs of active infection I would recommend keeping the area covered with a clean gauze until your body is able to heal this wound from the inside-out.  It will take several weeks to finish, and may look worse before it looks better, but given good wound care it should not materially affect your long-term results.  Hope this helps.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

From the limited photos the area does not appear obviously infected but it is always best to keep in touch with your surgeon about your concerns.  Signs of infection can include redness, pain, fever, and foul smelling discharge or pus.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and photos.  It depends somewhat on how far along you are from your surgery.  Spitting sutures does not necessarily mean that you have or will get an infection.  Overall it appears that you are at least a few weeks out from surgery.  If this is the case you may be seeing some if the scar redness associated with this process of healing.  I would send these photos to your plastic surgeon in Mexico and see what he/she thinks of the healing progress.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta

Mark A. Schusterman, MD, FACS · Answer

It looks like a normal healing process after spitting suture, but I recommend you email these photos to your doctor in Mexico and get his/her advice.

Steven M. Lynch, MD · Answer

Hi, Your scars seem just to be going through the healing phase so I would not get too upset over this unless it started draining or you developed fevers/etc.  It is difficult to outguess what is done in Mexico but let's assume that the same procedure was done in this country.  You  have breast implants with a breast lift.  A troubled scar and spitting sutures are somewhat more worrisome over breasts with implants but I assume that this is the abdominal extended scar that you are showing. The stitch you describe seems to be the type that is absorbed in 6 months or so.  Expect bumps to last that long where the sutures are under the wounds.   Here is the best way to handle this.  Call a reputable plastic surgeon and go in to get an evaluation.  There should be no resentment that you went out of the country to have your surgery.  But, as you probably have seen, there will be little response from your surgeon in Mexico.  You must establish a contact here to follow you in good/bad times to make sure that you do not get into trouble. You may have done that already or are you on your own with the drains?  I find that patients that go out of the country are reluctant to see a plastic surgeon here because they made the decision to leave the country for their procedure.   If I have a patient that wants to go somewhere outside the country for their surgery then I tell them that I will follow them upon returning if they wish.  You had a big surgery with the mommy makeover and you need the contact here.  Good luck with your post op results.  I hope you are happy other than the scar concerns.  Most all patients with mommy makeovers are very happy.

Does it look infected (photos)

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