Hi! Here’s a disgusting story for those who love infected, gross, oozing things:

After my surgery in June of this year I healed up very quickly and nicely. Except for my belly button. It was very sore and smelled horribly. I figured I was just healing and since belly buttons are gross anyway, it was just taking a little longer. Additionally, my belly button was all the sudden TWICE AS DEEP! WTF?! Went to my two week post op and the nurse practitioner (bc my a-hole dr just couldn’t find the time to see me after a $40k surgery) said he didn’t even cut me open in my belly button. I said “uhhhhh yeah he did! I have stitches in there!!!!” How the hell did she not know where he cut me open? Anyway, she said oh it’s just the way you’re healing. Fine, whatever. Then a couple months goes by. Still infected, smelly, sticky, etc. I go back for my 2 month check up. She again said it’s just the way I’m healing. So it’s been four months since surgery and last night I was in the tub and washed my belly button and it hurt so bad! It’s beyond infected. Swollen, full of yellow puss, skin is falling off and there are little sores. WTF?!

So anyway, my question is: has this happened to anyone else? Also, I know some insurance companies will cover skin removal if the area is constantly irritated/infected. Has anybody ever had any luck getting a tummy tuck covered through their insurance due to irritation/infections of the skin? I have medical mutual in case anyone has ever had any experience with that specific company.

Thanks for listening and for any advice! (Yes I will call my doctor AGAIN tmw morning).

Forget your lameass surgeon. Call your primary doctor. You need to be treated with antibiotics. This is a disgusting story... not because of your infected bellybutton but because of the way you were treated by your bariatric staff.

It's pretty apparent that your post-operative health is not your surgeon's concern. As for his NP, shame on her. Most nurses I know would NEVER dismiss a patient so coldly. You could have developed sepsis!

I'd call my surgeon only to let him know that someone else treated the infection that he neglected!

You should go to urgent care and get on antibiotics asap! That's not good.

Yeah dude, sounds pretty gross and pretty serious. Never mind skin removal surgery right now, you need to get it looked at before it gets worse. What if it turns into something serious? I don’t want to scare you, but it could end up really bad if you don’t get it treated.

That's really negligent to put you off and to not know they use the belly button as one of their ports.

I've had 3 abdominal surgeries and all 3 went through my bb. I too, got infected one time. My dr said to lay on your back and pour hydrogen peroxide in there and let it set a minute, then drain and dry it really good. It's important to keep it dry as possible. You probably could use a bit of neosporin. Hope you heal soon!

Best wishes!

Yikes! See if your PCP can see you today?