12/23/2025
🚫 Reasons You Should NOT Re-Open Incisions:
1. High Risk of Infection-
Once an incision closes, reopening it exposes deeper tissue to bacteria, dramatically increasing the risk of infection, abscess, or sepsis.
2. Delayed Healing-
Reopening an incision resets the healing process, causing prolonged swelling, bruising, and discomfort—and can turn a simple recovery into a long-term issue.
3. Poor Scar Formation-
Reopened incisions often heal unevenly, leading to thick, raised, widened, or keloid scars that are difficult to correct later.
4. Tissue & Nerve Damage-
Incisions heal in layers. Reopening can damage fragile tissue, nerves, and blood vessels, potentially causing numbness or chronic pain.
5. Risk of Seroma or Hematoma-
Disturbing healing tissue can cause fluid or blood to collect under the skin, leading to complications that may require surgical drainage.
6. Increased Pain & Inflammation-
Healing tissue is sensitive. Reopening an incision triggers unnecessary inflammation, pain, and swelling.
7. Medical Liability-
Only a licensed surgeon should assess or reopen an incision. Any manipulation by non-medical professionals can create serious legal and safety risks.
8. Compromised Cosmetic Results-
Reopened incisions can distort skin tension and affect the final aesthetic outcome of surgery.
9. Higher Chance of Re-Suturing-
Some reopened incisions may not close on their own and could require stitches, staples, or further medical intervention.
10. Signs of a Problem Should Be Evaluated by a Surgeon- Redness, heat, discharge, or excessive swelling are not reasons to reopen—they are reasons to contact the surgeon immediately.
✅ What Should Be Done Instead
•Support lymphatic drainage around, not over, incisions
•Monitor for signs of infection
•Keep incisions clean, dry, and protected
•Refer back to the surgeon when concerns arise