Post Op Seroma 15 Days After Full Tummy Tuck, How Can I Avoid Further Seromas?

asked 9 months ago by maggie.moo72 in Madisonville, KY
Latest answer by Alan Engler, MD
Question viewed 318 times
Tags: 2 weeks post-op, options, prevention, seroma

I had a full tummy tuck 15 days ago. My ps took out my drains on day 5. I went in today for my second checkup, and I had developed a seroma. (I didn't see the waterbed type of waves, that I read about) He drained out 4 tubes of bloody drainage. What can I do to avoid further seromas? I am very compliant with my garment. Does it mean that I will have another seroma on my next appt in 5 days, just because I had one today?

9 answers to Post Op Seroma 15 Days After Full Tummy Tuck, How Can I Avoid Further Seromas?

Tummy Tuck - Post Op Seroma 15 Days After Full Tummy Tuck, How Can I Avoid Further Seromas?

You can't necessarily avoid it, but you can manage it It is, perhaps unfortunately, not unheard of to have fluid accumulation after a tummy tuck, including a modified or mini tummy tuck, and particularly in association with lipo. The main thing is to recognize that fluid as early as possible, and then to treat it. That means draining it, and that can be done with reinsertion of drains, sequential aspiration or both. My general feeling is that if it's a... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Post Op Seroma 15 Days After Full Tummy Tuck, How Can I Avoid Further Seromas?

I usually find that I drain about half the amount of fluid compared to the week before. Therefore you can expect to have weekly aspirations over a period determined by the size of the original collection. This is a 'complication' that is well-known to plastic surgeons - don't despair. It is important to follow up closely with your surgeon to get the volume as close as possible to zero. I also suggest wearing a compression garment as you appear to be... more

Eric Pugash, MD
Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

www.vancouvercosmeticsurgery.ca

Post Op Seroma 15 Days After Full Tummy Tuck, How Can I Avoid Further Seromas?

If after 3 visits of seroma drainage over a few weeks than re insertion of a drainage tube is the next step. Best of luck.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Seroma after tummy tuck

Seroma is a common post surgical problem, and it is difficult to determine in advance when the fluid will not re-accumulate. Avoiding excessive torso motion may help speed healing. As long as the volume withdrawn by serial drainage at similar intervals is diminishing, the seroma is slowly resolving, and usually doesn't detract from the final result.

Steve Laverson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

feelbeautiful.com

Seroma following a tummy tuck

It is likely that you will need to be aspirated again but how many times - is unpredictable. Most patients will require several aspirations; some may even require re-insertion of a drain but it doesn't sound too likely in your situation though there is limited information. Wearing a compressive binder and not being extremely active may help. It sounds like you are in good hands...

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Seromas after tummy tuck

Once you have a seroma it may take several "aspirations", drainage with a needle to get it resolved. It sounds like your surgeon is on top of it. Continue to see him weekly until it is gone. I would continue with your compression garment and try not to be too active.

Ronald Schuster, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.drschuster.com

Seromas after a tummy tuck

There is no way to predict if you will get more fluid accumulating in that area, but the general thinking is, even if a small amount of fluid comes back, it is best to aspirate it as often as possible in order to allow the tissues to stick together. That is when the seroma will stop coming back. The longer the fluid is in there, the greater the chance of the seroma developing a pseudobursa or sack like structure around it and then it will usually continue to re-accumulate fluid. more

Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Seroma after Tummy tuck

Thank you for the question. Unfortunately, there is no knowing exactly how many aspiration sessions will be necessary before the seroma does not recur. Most of the time however somewhere between 2 and 5 sessions are required. It may be helpful to apply a “soft” pressure dressing over the area of fluid accumulation and to limit strenuous activity during this time. Continue close follow-up with your plastic surgeon and do not despair; results of your... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Aspiration of seromas often needs repeating

Seromas tend to occur in procedures where a large potential empty space is created such as tummy tucks. The drains are used to reduce the risk of seroma formation but they can occur after the drains have been removed. Unfortunately, once a seroma has developed enough to require aspiration, it is frequently necessary to perform several aspirations over the ensuing weeks before it stops forming. Fortunately, these aspirations are relatively painless and the skin is still numb from... more