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I Had Abdominal Hernia Surgery, Now I Have a Large, Painful Seroma. Options?

asked 4 months ago by Mimee
Latest answer by Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Question viewed 270 times
Tags: hernia repair, normal, options, pain, seroma

After abdomanal hernia surgery I am left with this huge seroma that is as large as a melon. It is painful. Is this normal? The surgeon suggested a tummy tuck. Someone else would be doing the tuck. Should I as him to pay for this. I have limited income.

8 answers to I Had Abdominal Hernia Surgery, Now I Have a Large, Painful Seroma. Options?

+1

Seromas are not treated with tummy tucks

As the others have said, a common seroma does not require a tummy tuck for treatment. If you had needed a tummy tuck, it could have been done with the original hernia repair also. Seromas (if that is actually what you have) need to be drained and if that is not successful, the lining of the cavity needs to be excised and drained. Be careful not to assume that a seroma is the diagnosis and not a recurrent hernia. Sounds like you need some other consultations. more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

A tummy tuck is not necessary to resolve seroma

Thank you for your question. It is not necessary to have a tummy tuck to resolve a seroma. If you indeed have a painful seroma as a result of your hernia repair, then you should return to see the surgeon who did the hernia repair to address the seroma through surgical or non-surgical drainage. I hope this helps.
J. Jason Wendel, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Seroma after hernia repair by general surgeon who now advises tummy tuck.

Many plastic surgeons are fully trained general surgeons (I was certified by the American Board of Surgery in 1986) prior to their plastic surgical training and certification, so we can offer proper advice regarding your situation. If you have fluid under your skin following hernia repair, this could be a seroma, or it could be an indication that your hernia repair has partially or completely broken down, allowing peritoneal fluid (the fluid around your intrabdominal organs) to collect... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+1

A Tummy Tuck is not a solution for a seroma

I agree with the other docs who said that something sounds fishy. A seroma is a collection of fluid. It needs to be drained, either with needle aspirations, placement of a drain, or open drainage. A tummy tuck is completely unrelated. Your surgeon (I presume a board certified general surgeon) should deal with with complication without suggesting that you undergo an elective cosmetic procedure. If your original surgeon is not willing - or capable - of dealing with this common... more
Matthew Schulman, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Seroma After Hernia Repair

Something does not sound right. Your hernia surgeon should be able to deal with the seroma or refer you to a plastic surgeon for treatment of the seroma. No one should talk you into a tummy tuck unless that is what you want. Perhaps you should get a second opinion. Also, if insurance covered the hernia repair, it should cover treatment of the seroma.
Karol A. Gutowski, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Seroma After Abdominal Hernia Repair

A seroma is a collection of body fluid called serum and is seen sometimes after the abdoninal skin and fat is lifted up off the muscles as we do for a tummy tuck or you had done to repair the hernia. It is a direct result of the surgery and should be treated until it is completely resolved by the original surgeon at no additional cost to you or your insurance carrier. You may want to get them involved in this. The treatment of such a large seroma would generally be a drain for some... more
Ronald V. DeMars, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon

www.drdemarsmd.com

+1

Seroma after Abdominal Surgery?

I'm sorry to hear about the complication you are experiencing. Your surgeon should be treating the seroma by aspirating the fluid. Sometimes multiple aspirations are necessary. Occasionally, it may be necessary to place a drain. The situation is even more complicated if mesh was used for the hernia repair; and infection would be a very unfavorable secondary complication. At this point, you should not be considering tummy tuck surgery. Best... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Options for a seroma.

You should return to your original surgeon, who should take respondsibility for your post operative care and treat the seroma until it is resolved. An abdominoplasty during this early post operative period is not indicated and could potentially lead to increased complications.
Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

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