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

asked 1 year ago by Danielle123 in Niceville FL
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 558 times
Tags: drainage, normal, seroma

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.

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

+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.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

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

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

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,
Thomas Fiala, MD

Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

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

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

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
Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

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