Skin Necrosis

[Radmaman]

I am desperate for some one to shed light on my situation.  I had a tummy tuck surgery 8 days ago today.  Yesterday i went to my visit and the skin below my belly button has turned black and some areas seem very raw.  My surgeon said he needs more time before he can tell me exactly what it is or if it is just affecting the superficial skin layers and scheduled another visit for me in a week.  I actually had my tuck with a mastoplexy and the surgeon also performed liposuction on me.  Based on the information that I am getting on the Internet this doesnt seem good at all.  Is it possible that this will go away and I can have normal skin return?  Can this be caused by the VERY tight girdle that they placed on me after the surgery?  I have NEVER smoked in my life and so healing problems wasnt expected with my surgery.

Please give me your professional opinion on this as I am scared to death.

Thanks

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

While it is difficult to determine the exact nature of the problem without examining you, your description sounds like some compromise in the blood supply (circulation) to the skin.  If this is the case, only time will tell if there is only superficial or full skin loss.  I personally have only seen this occur once in a patient who was an active smoker (at a time when smoking was still permitted in hospitals).  Treatment should be non-surgical and conservative at first to allow maximum healing.  It is unlikely that the girdle is the source of this problem.

[Radmaman]

I was put on blood thinners and did not use a drain, had multiple procedures including liposuction performed at the same time.  In my opinion not enough precaution was taken to avoid this occurring...

[Radmaman]

Thanks for your response.  I am keeping my hopes up that this is just superfircial skin damage.  

[Buttons599]

I had the surgery on 4/28/08 and had the same situation... My skin turned black below the belly button. I got scared and took vitamin E, C, and A two times a day..half of it healed. Now I have a hole in my stomach the size of a lemon and 3/4 inch deep.  Its been a slow, mental process.  I cant imagine the hole healing, but the dr says it will within a few months.  I have to put medications & gauze in the hole 4 times a day.  I will not beable to swim with my 3 year old this summer.  I wish I had known this was a common risk.