I had a single incision sleeve through my belly button 15 days ago. I noticed two nights ago after a shower my belly button was a lot redder than its been and I had a tiny hole here is a picture.

I called my surgeons office but explained I had already planned on going to see my PCP yesterday because she wanted to see me two weeks after surgery she swabbed me to see if it was infected (she didn't think it was) and recommended I put bacitracin on the hole and gave me a tetanus shot.

I took a shower last night and realized the hole has gotten bigger and now looks like this

When I had called the surgeons office yesterday they said wait to see what my PCP said well i emailed my surgeon the pictures and he said do what my PCP said there's not much we can do and if it gets worse go in to see him. Im not really satisfied with that answer because I don't want it to get worse! I want it to start getting better now! Has anyone had this happen to them? Im growing very concerned as I've read online a dehiscence like this can completely open your entire incision and I don't want that to happen. Any advice is appreciated. Is there another type of doctor I can see? I was thinking wound specialist but what would they be classified under in my provider directory because I'm not seeing anything listed as that. Thanks in advance!

Kate the NP here- once it opens up a little like that it is not a good idea to try to close it with steri-strips. As someone said above, it Ned's to heal from the inside out. Rinse it with peroxide and than make sure it is dry ( alcohol wipes will help that) then try to keep it as dry as possible - covered lightly with a gauze pad. If the drainage turns a nasty color it is infected. It's hard to tell from this picture but it looks very superficial. Of course, your PCP should be your primary source of advise, but this doesn't look, from a picture anyway, that is is anything near dehiscense.

Both alcohol and peroxide are no-no's. Just use warm water and a mild non perfumed soap along with the meds your PCP prescribe. Contrary to popular opinion they are actually more harmful to healing tissue.

I had the same problem with one of mine and it looked like that and was ***** and my DR said to just put gauze on it and it will heal on its own which it did. I would not worry too much Im almost 6 months out and the one that I had an issue with healed just fine. Its just a little scary knowing its an open wound..

I feel a bit better knowing you went through it too. About how long did it take to close up and heal for you? Thanks!

And remember, it is healing from the inside out, and the inside - being the most susceptible to problems - may heal faster than the outside. Thus the "erupting"-like surface. If you notice that you have a temperature, call your Dr., as that can be a sign of infection. But from what you've described, it sounds like you're on a normal healing path. Have you ever had serious surgery, with deep wounds, before? That may be a way to gauge your healing, as well.

I haven't that's why I'm nervous im not sure how I'll heal.

Kate the NP here- once it opens up a little like that it is not a good idea to try to close it with steri-strips. As someone said above, it Ned's to heal from the inside out. Rinse it with peroxide and than make sure it is dry ( alcohol wipes will help that) then try to keep it as dry as possible - covered lightly with a gauze pad. If the drainage turns a nasty color it is infected. It's hard to tell from this picture but it looks very superficial. Of course, your PCP should be your primary source of advise, but this doesn't look, from a picture anyway, that is is anything near dehiscense.

Both alcohol and peroxide are no-no's. Just use warm Water and a mild non perfumed soap along with the meds your PCP prescribe. Contrary to popular opinion they are actually more harmful to healing tissue.

Oh I'n aware no peroxide or alcohol not sure why a nurse practitioner would suggest that. Thanks for looking out

Hi everyone just wanted to update you. It's been a week and this is what it looks like now.

Hopefully by next week the scab will be all gone. I have my one month appointment next Tuesday and will definitely have surgeon look at it. Thanks for all your input! Hopefully this thread helps someone in the future. All I did was put bacitracin on it and covered it with gauze. I changed it twice a day, showered daily making sure to let the Water run over it and soap as well. I also took pictures when I woke up and after I showered at night so I could see its progression.