Massage for Reducing Swelling from Seroma?

What is the correct way to do the massage for reducing or prevent the swelling from a seroma? after TT

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by Sheri Farmer in 63901

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Massage after tummy tuck

Thanks for the great question - Massage is not likely to prevent seroma but can be useful as a technique to reduce swelling. Your lymphatics remove excess fluid from your tissues and return it to your circulation. After surgery some of these channels are cut and time is needed to allow regrowth of these pathways. Massage can be an effective way to reduce swelling by recruiting other lymphatic channels to reduce some of the fluid. I hope this helps.

Seroma is not a swelling

A seroma is a fluid collection in an area following a surgical procedure. This is different from swelling. Swelling will respond to massage but seroma will responds to either compression or aspiration.

Seroma after TT

Seromas are collections of fluid under the skin. Seromas should be drained, and not be allowed to resorb on their own. If left untreated, seromas can become permanent and form a capsule that needs to be removed surgically. They can also become infected. There are various methods of reducing swelling, primarily by reducing activity levels, applying compressing, avoiding prolonged sitting, and lymphatic massage. However these are treatments for surgical swelling, not seroma....

Reducing swelling after a tummy tuck

Probably the best technique is manual lymphatic drainage also known as MLD or the Vodder technique. This promotes drainage to the regional lymph nodes and encourages diminished swelling (also known as edema) which may help to optimize oxygen delivery to the healing tisssues.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

33 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Seromas after a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) are aspirated, not massaged.

There is no role for massage in the treatment of a seroma. This is a collection of fluid under the skin and fat not uncommon after abdominopasty. Treatment is serial aspiration. Massage has no role in treatment.

Massage and seromas

Massage does not typically reduce a seroma. Massage works very well for generalized swelling following surgery, however a seroma is a collection of fluid and massaging this does nothing to improve resorption. Typically, drains are used to prevent these collections from forming and are complimented with compression wraps or support garments. If a seroma persists, removal of the fluid (often several times) via a small needle and syringe may work. In chronic situations, the seroma cavity may... more

David Bogue, MD

6 reviews

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

How to Reduce a Seroma

A seroma is a collection of fluid underneath the skin. In some cases drains are used after surgery to prevent to occurance of seromas, as well as compression garments which also address issues with swelling. Massage does not typically help rid of a seroma, although it does help with swelling. To remove/reduce a seroma you will need to have it drained by your surgeon - otherwise you could end up with an infection. If you are experiencing complications such as a seroma, I would recommend... more

Massage for reducing seroma

Tummy tucks are an extremely popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. Like all surgery, they have attendant risks. One risk is the development of a seroma. This is the collection of extra fluid underneath the skin. In many cases, this can be prevented with the use of abdominal drains. If you develop a seroma after the drain has been removed, your surgeon may opt to drain the seroma with a needle and a large syringe. To prevent a stroke for coming back, compression is the best... more

Massage and seroma

I do not think massage will prevent a seroma from occurring. It may help with firmness or irregularities. A compression garment helps to keep the swelling down.