Liposuction to Remove Scar Tissue from Seromas After Tummy Tuck?

asked 2 years ago by whatdoyouthink in Houston
Latest answer by Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Question viewed 1,078 times
Tags: abdomen, scar tissue

I had a tummy tuck and the drains were removed after just a few days. I spent the next 2 1/2 months visiting the doctor twice or three times a week to have my stomach drained due to a hematoma/seroma. I was accumulating between 90-250ccs every 3-5 days.

I now have scar tissue creating a shelf just above my scar. My doctor recommended liposuction to give me a flat profile. What is your take on it? Will this give me lasting results or do I need a different procedure?

5 answers to Liposuction to Remove Scar Tissue from Seromas After Tummy Tuck?

Liposuction will not remove seroma scar after tummy tuck.

Hi. This is a difficult problem, which we try to prevent at all costs. Liposuction will not help, and may create more internal scar tissue. You probably need open removal of the scar tissue, through the tummy tuck scar.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction willl work to remove the scar

As Dr.Aldea stated the accpted treatment is to go back to surgery and remove the scar tissue. Liposuction can suck the fatty tissue , not the scar tissue. You may have too much residual fatty tissue that make the scar tissue look too prominent and your surgeon is trying too help you by removing some of the fat.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Seroma Scar

Removing drains too soon, having a radiated area, patient noncompliance and other factors contribute to re-accumulation of fluid and seroma formation. When the fluid is not rapidly absorbed and outlasts the healing process, because the tummy skin/fat cannot re-adhere to the underlying muscle, it literally walls off the fluid collection (seroma) with a scar creating a CHRONIC seroma / Bursa - a smooth scar lined pocket under the tummy tuck flap. The scarring can gnarl and deform the... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction for seroma scar site

This is a difficult problem, and whether or not liposuction will help depends upon how much scar tissue you have. Liposuction does sometimes work with limited amounts of tissue, but keep in mind that you will be a bit swollen from the suction initially, so it may be 6 weeks or more before you can assess the results. In some cases we open up the incision and advance the skin a little further if possible, but whether or not you would need this would have to be determined by your surgeon. ... more

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction for removing scar tissue

It is difficult to say if liposuction is needed without examining you. My initial thought based on your description would be that there probably is not a lot or any fat in that area. This area may be a seroma bursa (sac) or scar tissue. I would recommend get a couple of different opinions from board certified plastic surgeons. Good Luck.

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

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