Seroma. Will I be able to continue working with the drain?

Thank you for this multifaceted question.  In order to give you an answer, I am going to have to make certain assumptions.  I am going to assume you are referring to a seroma in an abdomen after an abdominoplasty.  I am also going to assume that by persistent, you mean more than one month.  If these assumptions are correct, I suggest you do not work while the drains are in because the key to getting rid of a seroma is having the pocket shrink up bit by bit, and normal activity will tear open the small fibers that will eventually obliterate the seroma pocket.  Therefore, you need to stay housebound with minimal activity allowing the drains to bring the front wall of the seroma to the back wall, let it scar in, get healed, and then go about your physical therapy activity.If the indwelling drain plus a great deal of inactivity do not cure the seroma, then surgery is necessary.  Normally, the incision for this form of surgery is in the existing abdominoplasty scar.  The size of the incision is determined by the size of the seroma.  I suggest you worry about first things first.  A tight garment, indwelling drains, and a chemical irritant in the pocket often cures a seroma and destroys the capsule at the same time.

Almost all seromas can be treated effectively by sequential aspiration in the office. Should insertion of the drain be necessary you certainly can continue to work. Reoperation for excision of a chronic seroma probably would require some time off the job.

Drains do not prevent you from working.  Should you require surgery, your surgeon would likely go in through your existing incision.  No need to be worried.

The kind of drain you are probably talking about is a closed suction drain. This is quite easy to manage, and you may shower and go to work with it. A significant issue is whether your increased activity at work would interfere with the healing of the capsule. Otherwise, the plan you have now is a well established approach to this fairly common problem.

Hello!  Sorry to hear about your issues.  his unfortunately is a known compplication, which is fixed just as you describe.  Activity restriction as well as compression garments do help.  Otherwise, the algorithm that you describe is correct.  You should still be able to work with the drain in place.  Hope that this helps!  Best wishes!

A mature seroma usually will not resolve with drains only. A capsulectomy is usually required so that the body can absorb the fluid from the cavity which will be continuously secreted. A mature seroma will have a rind or capsule around it and this needs to be removed. Dead space needs to be obliterated with quilting sutures, drains, and compression. Infection needs to ruled out and if implants are involved, they may need to be removed. If drains and compression are applied appropriately, they can be concealed under clothing.

You should discuss these questions with your plastic surgeon.If your seroma is related to a tummy tuck, talk to your surgeon about your acitivity level at work. The more active you are, the less able the walls of the seroma are able to stick together, heal, and close the space. If your work will contribute to abdominal movement, you could talk to your surgeon about doing light duty.While anything is possible after surgery, if a seroma persists, the surgeon would probably finally leave the wound open without suturing it closed. That way there would be no closed space for the fluid to accumulate. Usually a seroma space closes before the surgeon has to consider the open wound technique. Dealing with a persistent seroma is scary and frustrating. Focus on doing everything you can to minimize activities that might make it difficult for the walls to heal closed rather than thinking of the worst that can happen. (Easy for me to say, I know!)Good luck. Stay in close contact with your plastic surgeon. Let him/her know about your thoughts and frustrations so he/she and the staff can support you during this difficult time.Click on the link below to see an interesting tummy tuck case.All the best.

I'm sorry to hear about the complication you have experienced. Although your anxiety and quest for additional information is understandable, your own plastic surgeon will be your best resource when it comes to answering your question specifically. Otherwise, the information you receive here ( specific such as returning to work and incision site…)  may be completely inaccurate.   Based on your history, it sounds like your plastic surgeon has a good plan for you.  If in the longer term you are dealing with a chronic seroma, you will find that this type of fluid collection is surrounded by a relatively thick layer of scar tissue. Treatment will likely involve excision of the scar tissue (bursa)  through the existing tummy tuck incision line. Drains and compression will likely be used afterwards.  Best wishes for a rapid resolution of the seroma  and for an outcome that you will be pleased with long-term.

Although you did not mention what surgery you had, we assume you are talking about a seroma after tummy tuck.  A seroma can usually be aspirated several times with resolution, but drains are the next step.  You also didnot mention how far along you are from surgery as this makes a difference in the treatment.  Drains can be inserted through very small incisions. Seromas can be difficult to conquer, but have faith in your surgeon and follow all instructions.  Yes, some people go back to work with drains, as long as there is no infection. Again, ask your surgeon for advice on this.  Best of luck. 

Most of the time, a seroma is able to be treated with either repeated aspirations or a drain. If however this is not successful, surgery is required to remove the capsule associated with the seroma. It is not a major surgery and the down time is approximately a week to 10 days at most. There would be drains in place and I usually allow patients to be mildly active so long as they are wearing good compression to the surgical site.