Fluid Build-Up After Tummy Tuck

I had a tummy tuck Feb 07,2011 and i have had fluid build up since i got my drains taken out about a week and a half ago. My stomach is like a water bed and i am bigger now than before i got the TT. I went to the doctor out of concern and they told me it would go away on its own but from what i read it can take years or be uncomfortable to let the body do it alone. The fluid doesn't seem to be going down at all and i look pregnant. What should i do?

Tags:

fluid

Comment on this

16 Doctor Answers | Asked by Ladyjay in Plant City

Doctor Answers (16)
Community Comments (0)

Fluid Build-Up After Tummy Tuck

From you description, you have a seroma. This needs to be drained. I typically do this with a needle and syringe and follow my patient every few days until it is completely resolved. If it is as significant as you state "like a water bed" it is unlikely that it will resolve on its own any time soon!

Tummy Tuck Seroma

Although I cannot tell for sure from your photo, it sounds as if you may have a seroma developing. I usually treat this with aspiration in my office with application of a very tight garment afterwards. This process often needs to be repeated a few times. Occasionally it is necessary to put a drain back in, but I find this necessary very infrequently.

Seroma

It is likely that a seroma can Occur after drain removal You need to get additional drains to keep your fluid build up in check for now

Seroma after tummy tuck

Seroma that late and as significant as you described will require drainage. It is best accomplished with percutaneous draim.

Fluid or seroma after tummy tuck

With tummy tuck techniques that still require a drain, a seroma can develop after the drain is removed and present the full and pregnant feeling that you are now experiencing. The heavy water bed sensation is typical and the fastest way to resolve the issue is to replace the drain. Sounds awful though you will do better and feel better immediately. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Seroma after tummy tuck must be drained.

Hi. This is potentially a serious problem. What we do is have an interventional radiologist insert a new drain under ultrasound control, and leave it in for about a week. That almost always works well. see video

Seroma after Tummy Tuck.

This is not unusual after a Tummy Tuck. A small amount of fluid may be reabsorbed by the body. If you notice a fluid wave, however, this may indicate a more substantial volume that could require a drainage procedure in the office. If a significant volume of fluid is left untreated, it may form a lined cavity or pseudo cyst that might require surgical treatment. Contact your plastic surgeon to address your concerns.

Post operative seroma

You are describing a post operative seroma. It is a somewhat common complication, even with use of drains. Your surgeon is right i that most small seromas can resolve on their own. However, if you have a "waterbed" look to the overlying skin you likely will need to have your seroma drained. This is a simple procedure done in the office in which a needle and syringe is used to remove the fluid. This is followed by use of a compression garment and may need to... more

Postoperative Seroma after Tummy Tuck

Ladyjay from Plant City, You appear to be describing a postoperative seroma, which is a known complication from tummy tuck surgery. It can result from persistant fluid accumulation after drain removal or a retained fluid collection that was not adequately drained. Depending on the size of the collection, you may require a percutaneous drainage. If the drainage recurs, a seroma catheter (small drain) can be placed until the drainage... more

Fluid collection after a tummy tuck

Your description seems to indicate a seroma (fluid collection) has occurred after the drain removal. Drains are placed after surgery to help minimize fluid collection that naturally occurs when the abdomen has been contoured as it has in a tummy tuck. If a small amount of fluid collects after drain removal, your body will often absorb it without difficulty. However, if there is a significant amount of fluid, it does need to be drained to prevent long-term complications.... more