You are here:

Plastic Surgery/suture abscess

Advertisement

Expert: Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS - 5/15/2009


Question
I am three weeks post tummy tuck. I feel great and seem to be healing well. I just recently noticed some tenderness below the incision on my left side and on the far right side. I pressed on the site and pus came out. It is only tender to the touch. I am otherwise pain/fever free. Could this be a reaction to the sutures in my body. On my right side I can actually feel the suture and have trimmed it down. Should I be majorly concerned?  I do have a follow up appt. in about 2 weeks. I have contacted my doctor office and they said to let it drain and keep bacitracin on it and it will heal eventually on its own.  Is this correct?

Answer
from Dr. Alan Engler
www.bodysculpture.com

Hi Rebecca,

Actually, that is probably exactly what's happening, and exactly how it should be treated.

However, at this early stage post-operatively, I would think that it's a good idea, if only for your peace of mind, to have your surgeon take a look.  You can see how it is over the weekend and then, if it's not resolved to your satisfaction by Monday, give the office a call.  You may even be able to email a photo that would save a visit and still give you a satisfactory answer.

I hope that this helps, and good luck,

Dr. Alan Engler
www.bodysculpture.com

Plastic Surgery

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS

Expertise

Dr. Engler has answered over 3100 questions as a volunteer expert for AllExperts. His expertise includes breast surgery (breast enlargement with implants, breast reduction, breast lifts), liposuction, eyelid surgery, tummy tucks, facelifts, skin cancers, cysts, etc. Dr. Engler has been listed as one New York`s Top Doctors, and as "One of the World's Most Famous Aesthetic Surgeons" (Aesthetic Surgery, TASCHEN Books, Angelika Taschen, Editor). He is the author of 4 books, including "BodySculpture" (a best-selling plastic surgery book on breast surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks), "EyeScapes" (Plastic Surgery of the Eyelids), "Restylane," and "The Slim Book of Liposuction." Dr. Engler has two US Patents for surgical instruments that he's designed, and has appeared on numerous television shows, including The Tyra Banks Show, The Ricki Lake Show (four times), and the Dr. Keith Ablow Show. Videos of his appearances are available on YouTube (search for "DR. ENGLER"), and his discussion of breast implants, also on YouTube is "How to Choose a Breast Implant." His website is www.bodysculpture.com. Thanks for "Likiing" Dr. Engler on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Alan-M-Engler-MD-New-York-Plastic-Surgery-and-Aesthetics/107206405967267?ref=ts&__a=8

Experience

Dr. Alan Engler is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York and the author of BodySculpture - Plastic Surgery of the Body for Men and Women (ISBN 0966382749) one of the top-selling plastic surgery books on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, etc.

Education/Credentials
Dr. Engler graduated from Yale University (BA, Russian Studies) and the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (MD). He did his residency training in General Surgery and, after that, Plastic Surgery, at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York. He is on the faculty of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and is a Special Lecturer in the Department of Dermatology at Columbia University in New York. He has admitting privileges at Beth Israel Medical Center and Montefiore Medical Center, both in New York.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.