Recurring Seroma Formation After Tummy Tuck?

I had a Tummy Tuck on 10/2008 and a re-do on 3/2009. Many years previous to the Tummy Tuck, I had abdominal Liposuction and apparently, there was scar tissue inside me because of it and this may have caused me to develop 3 large seromas, one with a 1 cm thick wall around it.

Now, 9 weeks after my last Tummy Tuck, I am developing swelling and a terrible tightness that is symptomatic of the same problem I had before (seroma formation). The doctor said today that this is just scar tissue from all my procedures, but he did agree to order an ultrasound to look to see what is in there.

I am in Europe and I'm wondering what you'd do for this in the USA? This pulling and tightness is awful. Every time I sit down and have to stand up I feel like I have hundreds of runner elastics contracting inside of me. I can't stand to be like this for much longer. Please give me your advice! Thanks.

Read my review "Problem After 2nd TT Redo"

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abdomen seroma

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2 Doctor Answers | Asked by Sals in Miami FL

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Recurring seroma formation after Tummy Tuck

Dear Salux in Luxembourg, I visited your country many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Moreover, while I am proud of the abilities of American Plastic surgeons, I would feel as confident about the quality of European trained and certified (ie ancien interne etc) Plastic surgeons. Your abdomen was violated 4 separate times with C sections, once by liposuction and once with an abdominoplasty. Each time, new scar is laid down and the lymphatic circulation is further compromised prolonging... more

Drainage of persistent seroma is indicated

If the ultrasound confirms a seroma, it will likely require drainage 9 weeks out. If it is small enough you may wait it out to see if it resolves. Drainage is usually successful with closed aspiration. Sometimes a sclerosing agent such as sodium tetradecyl can be infused in the pocket. These have a tendency to recur and it may require a couple of treatments. For a seroma that is large, tender, or has stretched the skin it would likely require open exploration and excision of the... more