What should I do about fluid incased between skin and muscle after tummy tuck and lipo? (photo)

Question

I had tummy tuck with lipo and BL on 6/2/2013. Ever since I have worn a compression garment or abdominal binder. I have developed a larger amount of fluid between the skin and muscle . CT scan confirmed this. My binder is causing pinching type pains when I wear it and compression garment doesn't feel as supportive as it should. Please help as I am waiting on an appointment with plastic surgery but have a few more days and the pain driving me mad.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Your #healing will continue for 2-3 months for the early period. This includes some swelling, bruising, malposition, color differences. Sensation in the breasts may also be abnormal and scars will be evolve. Tingling, burning or shooting pains in the breasts will disappear with time and should not alarm you. It is simply a result of the regeneration of your sensory nerves. If these sensations cause pain, repeated, local self-massage per your surgeon's permission may help.

Healing after a  #tummytuck will require time. Some patients are out of bed and walking the night of surgery and every hour while awake. I allow my patients to return to work at one to two weeks with 14 days preferred.  However, no lifting or straining.  At three weeks, increased level of activity and full with no restrictions, at 6 weeks. #MummyTummy is a term given to modified tummy tucks which can use liposuction and skin tightening with radiofrequency such Vanquish, Vela3, thermage, thermiRF and others.  The actual fat contouring can be done non-surgically as well with #UltraShape or Cool-Sculpting. If you have any concerns about #healing, its best to ask questions of your surgeon or their nursing staff.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

If you have of fluid accumulation deep to the skin this should be surgically drained. Most of the time this can be done in the office.

Steven L. Ringler, MD, FACS · Answer

I am sorry to hear you are experiencing such a long recovery following your surgery.  Based your description it sounds like you have a chronic seroma (fluid collection between skin and muscle layers).  This is always a potential, but infrequent, risk of liposuction and particularly of a tummy tuck.  Continued compression is unlikely to correct this and is probably not of much benefit at this late stage.  If you still have a seroma eight months following surgery confirmed by CT scan, then surgical treatment is usually the best option for correcting the problem. Good luck to you.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Why the time delay??? You need immediate operative drainage in my opinion. But maybe you have not told the whole story???

Randy J. Buckspan, MD (retired) · Answer

Well, fluid collection right after surgery is not that uncommon and is treated with simple aspiration in the office.  Several treatments may be necessary, and steroid injections can also help.  For you, it has been such a long time after surgery that surgical removal of the tissue (scar) surrounding the fluid will be required.  Without additional liposuction, the area should heal quite easily this time!  Your plastic surgeon can give you the best advice after seeing you.

What should I do about fluid incased between skin and muscle after tummy tuck and lipo? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: What should I do about fluid incased between skin and muscle after tummy tuck and lipo?

Answer: What should I do about fluid incased between skin and muscle after tummy tuck and lipo?

Answer: Fluid After Tummy Needs Drainage

Answer: Fluid After Tummy Needs Drainage

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What should I do about fluid incased between skin and muscle after tummy tuck and lipo? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: What should I do about fluid incased between skin and muscle after tummy tuck and lipo?

Answer: What should I do about fluid incased between skin and muscle after tummy tuck and lipo?

Answer: Fluid After Tummy Needs Drainage

Answer: Fluid After Tummy Needs Drainage

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Everything you need to know about Mommy Makeover

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