Ask a doctor

Over 65 Days After Surgery I Get a Seroma - Could I Have Caused It by Heavy Lifting? (photo)

hi there - i had a tummy tuck, lipo and breast reduction and lift over 65 days ago and out of the blue a seroma has developed just above my tummy tuck inscision - is that odd? and could I have caused it by heavy lifting too soon? its the size of a small flat fist, tender but thats all - but is it normal so long after and could i have caused it? after reading various responses I understand the treatment and maybe i should start wearing my body garment again but i just dont want to aggravate it!

Doctor Answers 3

Over 65 days after surgery I get a seroma. Could I have caused it by heavy lifting.

October 19th, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

It is rare that after 65 days you get a seroma after heavy lifting.   The seroma was probably there and you might have irritated something that was already making it bigger and most cases after this time it is 50/50 whether it heals by drainage. You may have to have the seroma and its capsule removed.

John S. Poser, MD


Gainesville Plastic Surgeon
4.1 out of 5 stars 9 reviews

Seroma after 65 days

June 13th, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Its too late for a seroma to appear after 65 days.However weight lifting may cause tear of some of the muscle fibers leading to limited bleeding in that area which is still healing.

Ashok Govila, FRCS, MCh, MS

Seroma of abdomen

June 12th, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

It is a bit unusual for someone to develop a seroma 65 days after abdominoplasty, but it certainly could happen.

Steven Wallach, MD

Steven Wallach, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.1 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.