Will seroma scar tissue ever goes away? 8 months post-op. (photo)

Question

My tummy tuck and liposuction was performed 8 months ago. Drains there for 3 weeks . Developed seroma , aspirated 60-30 cc every 2 weeks x 3 , until no more came out. I stated exercise (4 months now ) and can clearly see the seroma scar tissue is just hanging jello bag on abd LUQ and little on LLQ. Those 2 bags are not melting with the exercise like the fat .... will they ? Will it go away by itself with time ? Massage ? Other means ? Steroid injections ? Do I need a surgery to remove them ?

Gregory A. Wiener, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thanks for the question. Most seromas, once they have resolved, collapse and the underlying space fuses together without leaving a significant bulge in the area. However, some seroma cavities do develop thicker walls. This scar tissue may be thick enough to create a contour problem. In other cases, the cavity never really completely collapses, and there is a small amount of fluid that always occupies the space (but not enough to drain with a needle). An ultrasound exam may demonstrate these thickened areas. If there is still some excess fat on the abdominal wall, this could also be a factor. It may ultimately be easier to liposuction some additional fat over these more prominent areas than reopen the abdominal scar and remove the scar tissue from the seromas.Discuss these issues with your plastic surgeon (or another board certified plastic surgeon). Most likely, there will be a way to get you flatter and improve your contour.I hope this helps!

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

If you wait long enough the should eventually become flush with the rest of your abdominal wall. With really thick capsules excision may be indicated for the purposes of hastening the outcome.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your seroma issues.  After 8 months the only method of correction would be revision surgery to remove any fluid collections that remain as well as the surrounding scar tissue that your body developed in response.  Voice your concerns to your surgeon or seek a second opinion.  Best wishes.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your picture.  It is unlikely that this contour issue that developed from the seroma will resolve spontaneously or with exercise.  More than likely it will need removal of the thickened scar tissue and drain placement will improve this area.Best wishes.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

If you have a serum capsule, then you may need to have it surgically removed to complete get rid of it.

Stefan Rene Adair, MD · Answer

Seromas or an infrequent but unfortunate complication of abdominoplasty. From your dialogue it appears you've recovered from this portion, however the internal scarring from a capsule surrounding a seroma may persist. Your external scar appears to be fading,and there are topical creams such as biocorneum which may assist in the improvement. I would touch base with your plastic surgeon and have him evaluate this hands on.

Will seroma scar tissue ever goes away? 8 months post-op. (photo)

Answers (6)

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