Seroma After Hernia and Diastasis Repair

Surgery 2 wks ago to repair a large diastasis recti & umbilical hernia. 3 days later, I developed a mild fever and was sent to the ER. They did a CT scan and noticed a large seroma with a small air pocket which they believed to be the start of an infection, was given antibiotics. I have since had it drained a total of 3x's. Each time removing around 400 ccs. Most recent aspiration was this morning & after a few hours feels full again. Surgeon wants to see me in 2wks. Any thing else I can do?

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by Rochester NY9139 in Rochester NY

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Seroma after tummy tuck

Sometimes they go away after a few aspirations but sometimes they require opening it up and maybe putting in some quilting sutures to obliterate the dead space.as long as you are afebrile all should be well.

Seroma after a tummy tuck

Sometimes fluid collections or seromas develop after a tummy tuck. They suually go away after repeated aspirations.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Seromas after TT

You will need continued aspirations until this resolves. It may also help to wear a compression garment to decrease the risk of re-formation. If this continues to be a chronic issue, you may need surgery to remove the seroma cavity that forms.

Seroma after tummy tuck

This problem is best treated by serial aspirations. I have been lucky not to have had any large seromas in my tummy tuck patients, and so far (knock on wood) have not had to re-operate on any. I usually leave the drains in until they have almost nothing draining out, and I usually remove one at a time. If a seroma becomes infected, the amount of drainage can escalate dramatically. Once the infection is under control with the right antibiotics (they probably took a culture of the fluid)... more

Chronic seroma might require another operation after tummy tuck.

Seromas are occasional complications after abdominoplasty and are usually dealth with by serial aspirations in the office. If they don't resolve in a few weeks, a chronic capsule can form that may require surgical excision if the problem is to be definitely solved.

Dealiong with a Chronic Seroma (Fluid Pocket)

Regarding: "Seroma After Hernia and Diastasis Repair Surgery 2 wks ago to repair a large diastasis recti & umbilical hernia. 3 days later, I developed a mild fever and was sent to the ER. They did a CT scan and noticed a large seroma with a small air pocket which they believed to be the start of an infection, was given antibiotics. I have since had it drained a total of 3x's. Each time removing around 400 ccs. Most recent aspiration was this morning & after a few hours... more

Seroma after tummy tuck.

Once a seroma develops, it should generally be treated until it resolves. This can take a weeks or sometimes several months in certail individuals. The scar tissue that forms around a seroma can also be very tight and because of the delay in healing due to the fluid, it can delay healing in this area and remain firm when the rest of your abdomen feels healed and soft. Generally speaking, it does resolve and slowly return to normal. see video