How to get rid of 5 week post-op seroma? (Photo)

Question

I got a TT/lipo/BBL procedure done 5 weeks ago in the DR. I had a lump underneath my breast that has shifted to above my bellybutton due to the massages/compression garment. I got it aspirated twice in DR and it came back. No one here back home wants to drain it due to risk of infection. I feel as if its getting harder because when I touch it there's no longer a wave, feels gel-like. Is there anything I can do before it completely hardens and I have to surgically remove it?

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

This is a major issue with foreign surgery - lack of followup. If there is an urgent situation, you can go to an ER for assessment. Local plastic surgeons can work out financial deals with you as well to help manage you postoperatively - you can call and check if you would like to get a plastic surgeon involved in your case.

Ken Stewart, MD, FRCS Plast · Answer

Seroma if it persists can be problematic.
Most surgeons will adopt seroma avoidance strategies such as quilting sutures.
If they persist after multiple drainage procedures other interventikns maybe required.
Occasionally seromas can form a long term walled off collection which needs to be surgically excised.

Stephanie Olivier, MD, FRCSC · Answer

hi there
Thanks for your question. I think the serum need to be drain, is the only way to get over it and sometime we need to keep a drain in. It can be drain either surgically or either under fluoroscopy ultrasound. And after, you will need to keep pressure garment for 6 week. Good luck
Dr Stephanie Olivier MD, FRCSC
Clinique médispa bromont

Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD (retired) · Answer

You may have  hesitancy on the part of Plastic Surgeons because of the medico legal issues of noting poor follow up on having overseas Plastic Surgery.  Hematoma and seromas can become very gelatinous with time and may not be treatable by aspiration alone.  It may be necessary to define how big the seroma is by considering a sonogram, ultrasound or CT scan initially.  On occasion a radiologic procedure can be considered to evacuate the process, but surgery may be necessary in the future.  Try to obtain a thorough evaluation by a local Plastic Surgeon who should be a lemon to give you proper guidance about this condition.Good luck to you.Frank Rieger M.D.  Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Marc J. Salzman, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question and photographs. At this point, serial aspiration may not be adequate and placement of a drain called a seroma- cath may be better. This is the problem with surgery done away from the United States. Physicians in your area may be hesitant for fear of being dragged into a lawsuit to get involved at this point in time, especially when no payment has been made. Any cost savings that you may have experienced by having this done in the Dominican Republic may be negated in the event that you need to fly back there for treatment of complications. I have seen this event happen in our city several times over the last few years. In some of the cases, I was able to enter into the treatment regimen and help these patients. I hope that patients who conside undertakingr medical tourism as an option, will take into consideration how undesired side effects or complications will be dealt with from afar. If the seroma is allowed to stay in place for many weeks, the pseudo-bursa that may form will be more difficult to treat than the liquid. You might want to try offering the treating physician not only payment, but a written release from a medical malpractice action as an enticement for them to treat you. Hope that's helpful.

How to get rid of 5 week post-op seroma? (Photo)

Answers (5)

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