Is an air pocket dangerous after Tummy Tuck? (photo)

Question

I'm 2 days post op and have had an air pocket just under ribcage right in the middle I can push and move it it will feel like its popping and moving and even makes the noises. It also hurts I called ps office and they say as long as I have drains in not to worry about it. I also didn't get a compression garment because ps doesn't believe in them :/ so I just have gauze firmly in place and air pocket is on top

Kyle Song, MD · Answer

Feeling small pockets of air in the abdomen or breast after surgery is common, and will resolve by itself within days.  If the drain is not in communication with the air pocket, your body will slowly reabsorb the air on its own.  Keep following your plastic surgeon's post-op instructions, and you should be just fine.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

are not a problem and they will go away as your body absorbs the air.  Technical term is subcutaneous emphysema and it produces the crackly sensation you get when you push on it.  If its getting larger and you had a procedure on your thorax/lungs, then you need to let your surgeon know.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

During surgery wounds are open.  When wound is closed some air may get trapped under closed skin.  Such air pockets get resolved on their own.  Air from tissues gets absorbed away.  Such air pockets are not dangerous in any way

Is an air pocket dangerous after Tummy Tuck? (photo)

Answers (3)