When will the seroma subside?

Question

I had an abdominoplasty with breast lift/augmentation after a large weight loss. My last jp drain came out on its own after 14 days. It was draining around 80 cc's every day. Now, I have a collection of fluid pooling down in my pubic area that continues to get worse everyday. How long will this go on? I still wear my abdominal binder 24/7 and I am not active in hopes to decrease this seroma. Also, I am worried that I will have sagging skin over my lower abdominal and pubic area because of this.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Seromas can be very annoying and can take a long time to resolve.  It's best to treat them right away.  Aspirations, or a placement of a new drain as soon as possible (within days, not tonight ;-) ) are the way to go.

Stephen M. Davis, MD, FACS · Answer

Seromas can take time to resolve, Draining them is the best option as it will help control contour of the skin. You may require formal placement of a new drain. Stick with your plastic surgeon, he/she will get you through this brief period of difficulty. You will do well, Good luck Stephen M. Davis, MD, FACSGreen Hills Plastic Surgery

Gregory Diehl, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Drains usually come out when they are down to 20cc per day.  If yours were putting out 80cc, it is no surprise that you would have fluid collecting.  The drain needs to go back in, or the seroma can be drained by your surgeon.  Large weight loss patients have larger lymphatics, which explains why the seroma rate is much higher in weight loss patients (about thirty percent depending on the series).

When will the seroma subside?

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When will the seroma subside?

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