After 4 weeks post op from a tummy tuck, I was told I had a seroma at my 4 week post op appointment. The PS had to drain the area using a needle and syringe. The Doctor ended up draining 600cc of fluids. A week later, I see the fluid has come back and it looks like it is going to be quit an amount that needs to be drained again. How many times will I need to get this drained? will this effect the outcome of my Tummy tuck results? IS this slowing my healing process? What am'I doing wrong?
Answer: Seromas Hello. Thank you for presenting us your case . You have what we call a chronic seroma . You must have patience with this and have good communication with your PS . The number of punctures is not the most important issue. You have to be sure that your PS is draining the seroma every time you go to his office. Remember to use your compression garment to avoid more seromas. Good luck.
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Answer: Seromas Hello. Thank you for presenting us your case . You have what we call a chronic seroma . You must have patience with this and have good communication with your PS . The number of punctures is not the most important issue. You have to be sure that your PS is draining the seroma every time you go to his office. Remember to use your compression garment to avoid more seromas. Good luck.
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August 5, 2014
Answer: Tummy Tucks and Seromas Thank you for your post. Seromas can be painful and cause a cosmetic deformity, as well as sometimes leak. The whole point of drains is to keep a seroma from happening in the first place. If a drainless procedure was performed, and you had a seroma, or you had drains that were pulled and you subsequently had a seroma, then you should be drained, otherwise a capsule builds around the fluid making it permanent. If a capsule builds around the seroma (pseudo bursa or encapsulated seroma) then the only way to remove the seroma is to surgically open the areas and excise the capsule, and close over drains to prevent another seroma from happening. If the seroma is encapsulated and is tight and painful, then it can be confused with just swelling or fat. An ultrasound is useful in distinguishing these and identifying the extent of the seroma. If the seroma is not yet encapsulated, then it is usually loose and has a 'fluid wave' or water bed type feel. Occasionally, a seroma can also become infected, especially if a permanent braided suture was used. This will have a hot, red appearance, and will eventually open up.Best wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD
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August 5, 2014
Answer: Tummy Tucks and Seromas Thank you for your post. Seromas can be painful and cause a cosmetic deformity, as well as sometimes leak. The whole point of drains is to keep a seroma from happening in the first place. If a drainless procedure was performed, and you had a seroma, or you had drains that were pulled and you subsequently had a seroma, then you should be drained, otherwise a capsule builds around the fluid making it permanent. If a capsule builds around the seroma (pseudo bursa or encapsulated seroma) then the only way to remove the seroma is to surgically open the areas and excise the capsule, and close over drains to prevent another seroma from happening. If the seroma is encapsulated and is tight and painful, then it can be confused with just swelling or fat. An ultrasound is useful in distinguishing these and identifying the extent of the seroma. If the seroma is not yet encapsulated, then it is usually loose and has a 'fluid wave' or water bed type feel. Occasionally, a seroma can also become infected, especially if a permanent braided suture was used. This will have a hot, red appearance, and will eventually open up.Best wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD
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