Wash the area daily with warm water, and pat it dry. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. Keep the area clean and dry. You may cover it with a gauze bandage if it weeps or rubs against clothing.

During a tummy tuck, your surgeon will create an incision in your skin and the underlying structures so they can remove excess tissue and sculpt a firm and flat abdomen. Once the procedure is complete, the incision will be closed with sutures or staples, and you’ll be sent home to recover. 

The incision used in a tummy tuck varies depending on the amount of skin that needs to be removed. Most tummy tucks involve an incision made around the belly button (umbilical scar). In some cases, an incision may be made above or below it.

. Your surgeon will recommend things you can do to help reduce swelling and prevent infection while healing from this procedure.

Tummy Tuck Open Wound Healing

Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, is a popular cosmetic procedure that involves removing excess fat and skin from the abdominal area to create a smoother appearance. It involves tightening loose tissues around the waistline, resulting in a flatter tummy with better contour compared to liposuction alone. The best candidates for tummy tuck are those who want an improvement in their body shape rather than weight loss, as well as those with stretch marks due to pregnancy or large amounts of accumulated fat.

Open wounds following tummy tuck surgery are common and can be caused by the removal of excess skin and fat, as well as the repair of the abdominal wall. Open wounds usually heal well without complications, but they may become infected if not cared for correctly. They can also cause pain and discomfort while healing.

Open wound healing after tummy tuck can take a long time and demand patience. Tummy tuck incisions are located in an area that requires extra care, as it contains vital organs such as the stomach and intestines. This part experiences more friction and constant pressure during walking or standing, making it especially slow to heal after surgery.

To expedite the recovery process, it is essential to follow the surgeon’s advice on proper care and to take steps to expedite the healing process.

Tummy Tuck Wound Dehiscence Healing Time

A number of factors can cause wound separation after a tummy tuck – and almost all of them are preventable. That’s why it’s so important to select a highly skilled surgeon who can ensure that your wound heals properly and without any complications.

Poor Closure. In many cases, wound separation after a tummy tuck develops due to problems with the way your tissues were closed. For example, if an inadequate number of sutures are placed. Additionally, it could be due to the fact that only superficial tissues were sutured, but underlying layers which bear the most tension were not.

The removal of too much skin. If the surgeon removes too much skin from the area, it places undue tension on the closure, which can cause the wound to eventually separate. To prevent this from happening, Dr. Rahban uses a conservative approach when performing his tummy tucks, and will leave just enough tissue to allow for an ideal closure. If your surgeon feels you will not have enough tissue to remove, he will deny your candidacy for the procedure.

The premature removal of sutures. While most of your sutures should be deep and absorbable, there are often superficial sutures that also need to be removed. Your plastic surgeon needs to remove your sutures once the area is fully healed. If they are taken out too soon, wound dehiscence can develop.

An infection. If you acquire an infection after a tummy tuck, the wound edges may separate. As such, preventing an infection is a critical part of your aftercare guidelines. To that end, Dr. Rahban takes multiple precautions before, during and after surgery to lower that risk.

A chronic medical condition. Certain conditions – such as diabetes, heart disease and anemia – can lead to poor healing, which increases your risk of developing wound separation.

Excess pressure at the incision site. Excess pressure due to strenuous exercise, vomiting, excessive movement, straining, constipation, sneezing and coughing may prevent your wound from healing properly. As such, Dr. Rahban will talk to you about reducing pressure in the abdominal area as you heal and uses a very specific abdominal binder to assist with your healing.

Smoking. The use of nicotine has been shown to greatly affect wound healing often leading to separation. Smoking reduces the circulation in small blood vessels. Dr. Rahban will insist that you refrain from smoking for 4 weeks prior and 2 weeks after your surgery.

In addition, certain factors increase your risk of developing wound separation after a tummy tuck. They include being obese, increased age, and poor nutrition. If you possess any of these risk factors, Dr. Rahban will offer personalized guidance regarding steps you can take to improve your chances of enjoying a complication-free recovery period.

How is wound separation treated?

Wound separation is a serious surgical complication that requires immediate medical attention. To begin, antibiotics will be administered to prevent a new infection from developing. Surgical debridement will then be performed to clean the area, remove dead tissue or infected tissue, and encourage the wound to heal properly. From there, the incision will be carefully closed once again.

Over the next several weeks, you will be monitored closely for any signs of a recurrence. You’ll also be advised to change your surgical dressings frequently as you recover, as this will prevent an infection and allow healing air to reach the area.

It is possible to speed up the healing process but proper care and hygiene must be maintained on a regular basis.

• Proper dressing of the open wound is important. You will be taught how to do this in consultation with your surgeon, however it is important that you keep the wound dry at all times. Your surgeon will advise you specifically on how to manage your incision after your tummy tuck procedure.

Proper hygiene includes regular dressing of the open wound, proper washing, and keeping the open wound dry at all times.

Proper hygiene includes regular dressing of the open wound, proper washing, and keeping the open wound dry at all times.

• Use mild soap and warm water to wash away dirt from around the incision site. Gently scrub with a soft brush or cotton ball to remove discharge from around your stitches.
• Always pat dry instead of rubbing after washing your open wound.

Your surgeon will advise you specifically on how to manage your incision after your tummy tuck procedure.

Your surgeon will advise you specifically on how to manage your incision after your tummy tuck procedure. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, as this will depend on the type of surgery, location and size of the wound, as well as other health factors. If you have any questions about managing your incision or concerns about infection, contact your doctor immediately.

Tummy Tuck Wound Care

Wearing compression garments after surgery has many benefits. One such benefit is that they reduce swelling after a tummy tuck. It’s normal to have a lot of swelling at first. The swelling will be most obvious in the first few weeks after surgery.

Compression garments help protect the wound and reduce swelling after tummy tuck surgery. Doctor Bernard provides high-quality compression garments to all his tummy tuck patients. Check out the complete tummy tuck compression garment guide for more information.

There is a lot you can do at home to promote an optimal tummy tuck result. The proper aftercare after a tummy tuck consists of eating right, protecting the wound, tummy tuck scar care, avoiding sun and following tummy tuck aftercare instructions from your surgeon.

Diet tips for healing after surgery

A healthy diet is important for recovery. Good nutrition fuels your body so it can heal properly. Drinking plenty of water is a must. Eat fibrous foods can also help. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables are excellent choices. Protein is also essential for healing. Meat, fish, nuts and tofu are high-protein foods you can try. Also, if you love pineapple, you’re in luck. Pineapple contains bromelain, which may help reduce swelling and inflammation.

Supplements for wound healing

To ensure a successful tummy tuck procedure, it is essential to consume whole foods for most vitamins and minerals, and if supplements are necessary, consider vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc. Avoid taking vitamin E supplements after surgery as they can increase bleeding and should be discussed with your doctor.

To prevent infections, it is crucial to take antibiotics as prescribed, as they can kill different bacteria strains. Setting a phone alarm can help remember to take medication at the correct time. If you are susceptible to yeast infections from antibiotics, discuss fluconazole (Diflucan pill) with your doctor or consider probiotics. Discuss any other medications or supplements with your surgeon to avoid potential interactions.

After tummy tuck surgery, it is important to keep the wound clean with antibacterial bar soap, avoid scrubbing the wound with soap, and use gentle soap suds on the incision. Doctor Bernard provides detailed aftercare instructions for his patients.

Wound dressings are essential for preventing infection, and PICO negative pressure dressings are considered the highest quality on the market. These dressings have a special layer that traps up to 99.9% of bacteria. They are applied to the wound before surgery and removed by a nurse around day 10 post-op.

PICO dressings do much more than keep the wound clean. They also may improve tummy tuck scars, blood circulation and scar healing. Click here to learn more about the benefits of PICO dressings.

Tummy tuck scar treatments

To get a great result, you need a great-looking tummy tuck scar. Choosing a qualified surgeon like Doctor Bernard is the first step. They plan scar placement so that the scar will be hidden by your preferred style of underwear and/or swimwear. The type of sutures, stitching and wound dressings also play a role in how tummy tuck scars look.

Doctor Bernard’s patients are encouraged to speak up about scar placement. You will have a chance to see where the incision will go before surgery. Many patients even bring their preferred style of swimsuit or undergarments on surgery day to ensure the scar is well placed.

Tummy tuck scars fade over time. The scar will start out dark red, brown or even purple, depending on your skin tone. Over time, it will fade to pink or brown. Well-healed, mature scars lose pigment. Ideally, the scar will turn out slightly lighter than your natural skin tone. Tummy tuck scar fading can take about 1 to 2 years. Every patient is different.

Most surgeons agree that it takes at least 3-to-6 months for a garment worn after tummy tuck surgery to fall off on its own. A tummy tuck garment is a piece of fabric that is used to cover the incision site.

Most patients can wear their regular clothes after three weeks, but some patients choose to wear their garments for longer than others. The best course of action would be for you and your doctor to talk about when you should begin exercising, how much exercise you should do, and what types of exercises are safe for you post-surgery.

You should consult your surgeon if there’s any discolouration, swelling or redness in or around the incision site after three weeks post tummy tuck surgery.

You should consult your surgeon if there’s any discolouration, swelling or redness in or around the incision site after three weeks post tummy tuck surgery. If you have any pain or discomfort, speak to your surgeon as soon as possible.

• “I’ve had some redness and swelling around my incisions for the last couple of days – is this normal?”
• “My wound has healed but I still have a lump under my skin where they cut me open during surgery – what can I do about this?”
• “I noticed that my scars aren’t fading away like they should be; what could be causing this?

If you keep your wound clean and dry, it will heal faster

To help your wound heal faster, it’s important to keep it clean, dry and covered. Keeping your scar covered will also help prevent any infection that might arise from exposure to bacteria in the air.

You should also avoid wearing tight clothing over your incision site as this can cause irritation and swelling. Additionally, you should refrain from lying on your stomach as this will cause friction with the stitches/sutures underneath the skin.

Finally, avoid taking baths or hot showers during the first week after surgery because they can lead to excessive swelling or irritation of sutures/stitches (or both).