Belly button debris....?

Question

Okay, this just isn't something I can call my mom about so I'll ask a bunch of strangers ....

Last night I was wrestling with my cousin and he started doing the munching thing on my belly like when we were kids and it grossed me out so I run to the bathroom to wash his nasty saliva off my belly/ belly button. It is then that I discovered I have something weird in my belly button. It feels very stiff, like...string.

Now, I had what is called a "TRAM" flap about 5 years ago--this created a new abdomen for me and of course a brand spankin' new belly button. I tried hydrogen peroxide, alcohol and then the tweezers but frankly it's very painful.

I am wondering....is it a stitch from the surgery, even now? Is it perhaps dried intestines LOL (I hope not!), or some wild *** lint?
my belly button because it is very sensitive to touch, and though I tried using the tweezer it was sending lightening bolts of pain throughout my abdominal region. Any suggestions what this is and how to remove?

Answer 1

Well, several things are concerning to me. The fact that you are saying over and over that it is painful. You are also stating sensitivity to the area. Most TRAM flaps have little complications post op, if there are problems they're seen within weeks, and most is necrosis. Also the new umbilitus created does require sutures; most likely your new belly button was flat and you would have noticed at that time any sutures coming up. However all said it is not unusual to have sutures come back through the skin, but most sutures are disolveable. Still it brings to mind a type of herniation of the abdominal wall. That COULD occur, though unlikely. You've tried all the right things to remove what you describe as debris; hydrodine peroxide, alcohol.

The tweezers and creating pain makes me suspect something needs to have a look see by your reconstructive surgeon. Most likely it is nothing and your are experiencing hypersensitivity to that area due to the surgery, nerve endings cut, etc. The doc can make sure that there isn't anything there prior to removing said debris. Requires a bit of time and expense but because you say you are having pain in attempts to remove this 'stiff string' have your doc do it just to be on the safe side.

Good luck!