Is It Normal to Get a Seroma 2 1/2 Weeks Post Op Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?

I had a tummy tuck/lipo on Oct 1. Drain was out 11 days postop when there was still drainage of about 30-40/day. Last Thursday, my pubic area was hurting and incision was swollen above. There was a wavelike motion when i would touch the stomach. I called the PS and he put in a seroma cath on Friday. Within 6 minutes, there was yellow-clear drainage of 200 ml. Within the rest of the day another 100. it has consistently been about 75-100 a day.normal? Why is there so much drainage now? advice please.

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by Danielle123 in Niceville FL

Doctor Answers (5)
Community Comments (1)

Seroma After Tummy Tuck

Yes what you are experiencing can happen even 2 weeks after surgery. Repeated aspirations are usually necessary and sufficient to treat the seroma. Continue as you're doing with close follow-up with your plastic surgeon. Best wishes.

Seromas

Seromas can happen with any procedure that leaves a "dead space." It may take a few days to a week for it to get better.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Seromas

Sounds like your surgeon is doing the right things. Either repeated aspiration or placement of a seroma-cath is the correct treatment. A higher level of production of fluid can occur with over-activity, lack of external compression, or sometimes, infection. It should taper off with time...but they sure can be frustrating for everybody. Best wishes,

Preventing a recurrent seroma (fluid collection) after tummy tuck

In my experience, this can be caused by increased activity or aggravated by certain types of garment which are tight around the waist and act like a tourniquet on the lower abdomen. With the seromacath in place, do not exercise and wear a garment that provides uniform compression over your entire abdomen i.e, spanx or body suit that covers your entire torso see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Seroma and Tummy Tuck

Patient are different from one to another therefore some patient produce more fluid than others. This area is rich in lymphatics which produces the fluid. Equally important if there is a large amount of fat in the area there tends to be more fluid produced. I usually recommend removal of the drains when the production is less than 25 ml/day. Dr. ES

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Comments (1)

meyerjr 23 Apr 2013

Danielle, I realize you had your surgery and resulting seroma two + years ago. Do you have time to describe what happened as you were healing? The reason I am hoping you will update the community is for those who come after you that have not has their tummy tucks not heal in the hoped for way. -You are the first person I have found on RealSelf that had her surgeon place a drain (seroma cath) in his office. Sounds very proactive of him. So much more aggressive than Drs who have their wait 7 - 14 days between needle aspiration! -How long did the Dr have you keep this drain in? -Did the seroma close up inside without any other treatment? -Did the area where the fluid gathered shrink down and did you have follow own lumps/bumps? -If yes, did you have a follow on surgery to remove the pseudobursa? Thanks! Future readers will be helped by your update when they search for the word Seroma.

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