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Chronic Seroma After Tummy Tuck
I developed a seroma after having a large tummy tuck. Dr. placed drains back in, and I continued to drain for one month. Then he took me back to surgery and removed a large seroma pocket which extened my entire tummy.
He also placed new drains and I have been wearing my binder two weeks after this procedure I am still draining about 200cc/day total (4 drains). What should I do?
Asked 35 months ago by
amandas in beverly hills, ca
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Chronic seroma after he tummy tuck
Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. Like all surgery, tummy tucks to carry some risk. One unfortunate complication is the development of a seroma. As a seroma begins to develop, your plastic surgeon may choose to drain it with a needle and syringe. After this drainage, it is essential that you wear a tight compression garment to prevent the fluid from reaccumulating. If the seroma returns, it is possible that the inside of the seroma has created a...
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Everything Sounds Right
Your surgeon clearly understands the nature of seromas. He took you back to the OR because the seroma cavity will start to get a rind or start of a capsule with will impede the recovery.
It's often just a matter of time for the fluid to slow down. Remember it's that the body has to reestablish the tiny, one cell layer thick lymphatic vessels that return that fluid to the rest of the body. Time will heal.
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Sounds like your doctor is managing seroma correctly
Your doctor is managing the seroma correctly. Hopefully, in time, the drainage will continue to decrease until it is small enough to remove the drains.
Occaisionally, after very prolonged periods of drainage, a membrane can form around the seroma and prevent closure of the pocket. I am sure your doctor was looking for this and addressed the problem during the re-surgery.
It sounds to me like you are being managed properly, so it is important to follow your doctors plan.