Seroma after tummy tuck. Is it common above the belly button? 10 days post op. (photos)

Question

After having my drain removed 10 days post-op I developed a seroma high above my belly button. Initially the nurses & PAs at the CS office had no idea what it was and were afraid to try draining it until the surgeon took a look himself. This concerned me at first. Now I've been drained 3x. Each time seeing less fluid. Wondering why mine looks different than pics I've found online? Usually seroma is near the incision it seems. And mine was very firm instead of watery feeling externally.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs.  A seroma can form anywhere the skin was elevated during a tummy tuck and this includes near the breast bone.  It is far more common for one to develop along the lower abdomen but if your surgeon used quilting sutures this may account for the higher position of yours.  It sounds as if you are receiving appropriate treatment so you should go on to heal without further incident. Best wishes!

Erika Sato, MD, FACS · Answer

Seroma after a tummy tuck is known complications that is more common when liposuction is combined with the tummy tuck. They can form if the drain is removed too early (sometimes the drain output is low because it clogged off and the drain is removed too early) or if your body continues to make fluid. Some people are just prone to it. They can form in any area where a space is created. A space is created during a tummy tuck above the belly button where the muscle plication is carried out. It seems more common for them to occur low by the incision because gravity carries the fluid downward to that area in a lot of cases. You may have already sealed down or had progressive tension sutures that are separating the area above your belly button from the area by your incision. It is not surprising that the nurses and PA at your doctor's office did not now what they were looking at as they don't have the experience of the doctor especially if he/she has not had many seromas in their practice. There are many ways to treat a seroma. Tight compression to the area where the fluid is collecting. Keep this compression on for all but 30 min per day. Stay away from salty food and alcohol - this is hard to do as salt is in everything. If you are healthy adding a water pill such as lasix (with K+ replacement) to help dehydrate your body. I routinely give a 14 day supply. Draining the seroma is must and should be done frequently. Even leaving a drain in place can help speed this process up. The skin cannot seal down if the fluid keeps collecting there.

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

it is much more common to get a seroma in the lower abdomen, above the incision. however, a seroma occurs anywhere where the abdominal tissue which is elevated, does not stick back down to the underlying muscle. Once a seroma occurs, it needs to be tapped (which is easily done by the PS in the office), usually every 2-3 days. each time you are tapped, they will get less and less fluid, until it is stuck back down to the abdominal wall. drains do not prevent seromas, which is why i usually do NOT place any drains with my TT. however, this varies from surgeon to surgeon.david berman md

Seroma after tummy tuck. Is it common above the belly button? 10 days post op. (photos)

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Seroma after tummy tuck. Is it common above the belly button? 10 days post op. (photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.