Seromas After Tummy Tuck - When Will I Get Better?

i had gastric bypass in 2009 and decied since i kept 200 pounds off i should habe tummy tuck to remove the skin., i had a tummy tuck september 5th 2012, and since then i have developed seromas and had two drains placed to try and get rid of fluid, iv also had two painful injections and still every time he has removed the drain i begin developing fluid. i feel i need to ask more about what to do and get a second doctors opinion. i am at wits end and i feel like i am never going to get rid of this or get better.

Tags:

Comment on this

8 Doctor Answers | Asked by kbombchk09

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (0)

Recalcitrant Seroma after TT

Recalcitrant seromas can be difficult to get rid of. It appears you have had the traditional treatments of aspiration, drain replacement and attempted sclerosis. I do not have good news for you. The options now are basically down to two. You can return to the OR and the seroma cavity can be excised, closed with progressive tension sutures and drained. Or your seroma can be exteriorized/ opened and a drain placed so, it comes out the open wound/ hole. You would then irrigate out the... more

Recurrent Seroma after Tummy Tuck

Recurrent seroma after tummy tuck can be drained multiple times. At this point, a sclerosing agent can be considered. Ultimately, the seroma cavity may need to be excised.

Seromas After Tummy Tuck

These can be difficult problems for patient and for surgeon. They are more common in massive weight loss patients. As the skin and fat shrink away, the blood vessels and the lymph channels often remain large, and it is the lymph channels that leak and cause this problem. It sounds like you may have had some tries at sclerosis--simple aspiration should not have been painful If not, ask your surgeon. Various agents can be used--betadyne, , tetracylcline, alcohol, in an attempt to get the... more

Seroma in a weight loss patient.

Thanks for your post. Seromas in patients after weight loss can be really challenging. In some cases, the drains have to left in for weeks. It sounds like you had 2 sclerosis attempts (painful injections) and both have failed. Seeking a second opinion is a good idea. You should seek out a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in major weight loss body contouring. They are likely to have the most experience with difficult seromas. It sounds like your current surgeon did everything... more

Aldo Guerra, MD

55 reviews

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Seroma

The pocket needs to collapse and heal for the seroma to go away. This may take some time. Your surgeon is the best to address the problem

You may have a pseudo bursa

Hello, Thank you for the question. It sounds like you have tried the conservative treatments for seroma treatment without success. Your best option at this time is surgery to remove any scar tissue that has formed (pseudo bursa) as well as any other issues such as permanent sutures that may be creating inflammation. This will require a formal tummy tuck revision. Diligent abdominal binder use afterwards will also be very important. All the best, Dr Remus Repta more

Recurrent Seromas After Bariatric Plastic Surgery Can Be Related to Nutritional Issues

Thank you for your question. Recurrent seromas after abdominoplasty in a patient who has undergone bariatric surgery has a number of potential causes. As you are aware, protein aborption can be an issue for bariatric patients and supplementation is important. Some patients find it very difficulty to keep up with the protein requirements. The stress of surgery also increases protein breakdown potentially further setting you behind. Low protein levels can... more

Persistent Seromas

I can understand your frustration as you've obviously been through a lot. At this point I would recommend a second surgery to remove the seroma cavity, place progressive internal sutures to close the space between your abdominal muscles and the abdominal wall and possibly even the placement of "sealing" agents at the conclusion of the procedure. While no one wants to go through another operation, it's your best chance for a speedy and pain free recovery. Best of luck... more