Seroma after tummy tuck. If drainage is necessary, will I need to be fully under, or do they numb it with an injection? (Photo)

Hello. Great question. I am sorry for your post op difficulties. You will not need to be fully under for drainage. Keep following your surgeon's post op instructions.

Thanks for your question and photos.
Sorry to hear that you are having issues with your recent surgery.  Seroma formation following a tummy tuck is a rather common occurrence.  Many will resolve on their own.  If large enough and persistent, drainage is the way to treat them.  This can be done under local anesthetic.  You should see an immediate improvement in the contour of your abdomen if the collection is significant.  Recovery is dependent on the exact treatment used by your surgeon.  If they need to place a new drain it may stay in for a few weeks.  If they simply aspirate (drain) the fluid but do not leave a drain, recovery is minimal.  Usually some soreness for a few hours.  In my practice a simple aspiration of the fluid under local, followed by compression garments would be the first line of treatment.
Be sure to follow up with your surgeon.
Best wishes.

There are different ways to address a seroma. Often they are drained in the office with a needle and syringe. This is typically painless or mildly uncomfortable. You will not need to be put under anesthesia. At times the seroma may require multiple aspiration sessions if it recurs. For a persistent seroma your surgeon may elect to place a temporary drain to collect the seroma fluid.

Usually, the fluid is just drained in the office with a small needle. If the fluid reoccurs, it will need to be drained again, or even have a drain inserted. All this can be done in the office under local anesthesia.

thank you for your question and the photo. It is very common in the post operative process to develop a seroma. Most of them go away by themselves and others need to be drained with a needle. This is not painful on thre contrary mosg patients feel instant relief after draining. Best of luck