When can the wound be stitched?

It won’t ever be stitched. It will heal from the inside out and then when the wound has filled there is a possibility for a skin graft.

victim25,

So sorry to hear and see your outcome from an Abdominoplasty. I hope this was not done as "Tourist Plastic Surgery" and you are not a smoker.

You have seen the three colors of a wound as it progesses or heals: black or brown- dead or necrotic tissue that should be/needs to be removed, yellow- healing from the inside out and finally red- ready for closure. Anticipate, the wound vac can allow you to heal more rapidly from the inside out. This can can take many weeks. When the wound is red it is ready for closure.

As Dr. Scwarz stated the most concervative approach is a skin graft. Many months or a year latter the scar could be revised. Another approach is to elevate the abdominal skin and close the wound with large advancement flaps. The post opertaive seroma rate can be high. Only consider per-suing this option with a body contouring surgeon that is familar with this process.

The treatment of your condition is not going to be quick. Be Patient!

Gary Culbertson, MD

The wound can not be stitched and should not be. Besides you, no one wants to have this wound closed more than your surgeon. Unfortunately it will take some time. I think4 to 6 more weeks in my estimation if all goes well. It will not require a skin graft. When all heals it will look a lot better and smaller than you think but you may need a small revision in a year or so. but this is not a big deal. The best way to deal with this problem at this time is the use of the vac system. It will make the wound close significantly faster. There are portable battery operated systems that would allow you to get around well. Patience, it will turn out ok.

Adding liposuction to tummy tucks increases the complication rate. These heal. Slowly but they heal. They dont need skin grafts

Sorry to hear this happend. With a wound opening like this, unfortunately this is not able to be stitched closed at this point. IT will have to heal by itself called healing by secondary intention. Please make sure you have close follow up with your operating surgeons who needs to be very involved in your care. You will also benefit from being seen at a wound center in addition to your surgeon as well as a device called a wound vac that will accelerate healing. eventually you may need to have a revision surgery to improve the scar, but that is also a high risk procedure given this wound breakdown. This would will take several more weeks to close. Some things you can do to help wound healing here are to avoid ALL exposure to nicotine, even second hand smoke, increase your protein in take, and if you are a diabetic make sure your sugars are controlled. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

This wound is not ready to be closed. A VAC is the best way to clean up this wound and will eventually heal from the base of the wound up. Good luck!