Drain pulled accidentally, will I develop a seroma?

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  Postoperative seromas are always a possibility, with or without drains. At this point, there is nothing that would be done but wait and see.  In the meantime, I would continue compression garments as directed as well as continued restrictions with activity, especially with your core. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon at your next appointment. Best wishes!

You should be evaluated by your plastic surgeon if your drain was prematurely removed. Most seromas can be addressed in the office by removing some fluid through a needle and syringe- the area is still numb from the surgery so should not be very uncomfortable to do.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

I wouldn't worry about it. You still have one drain in place. And besides, there's nothing you can really do about it but wait and see. My guess is that it won't be an issue.

Hi and thank you for your question. By the sounds of it your right drain was not quite ready to be removed. This does not ensure that you will develop a seroma but places you at risk. The left drain may remove some of the fluid from the right side as well. I recommend you contact your surgeon to inform them of the drain removal as well as to discuss the odor from the left drain.  Good luck to you!

will put you at greater risks for developing a seroma.  Hopefully, your remaining drain will help prevent that from happening.  As for the odor, you should ask your surgeon about it.  In general, the drainage should be like blood tinged water or tea... if cloudy, you may have a problem brewing.

You may develop seroma, and at this point you just have to wait to see if it develops or not; your risk is higher however.  At this point wear you binder nice and tight and see your surgeon.

It certainly is a possibility with that much drainage before it was pulled. I would keep compression on the area and then make sure you see your surgeon and let them know. 

Many surgeons do not use drains after abdominoplasty so removing yours afterwards will most likely have no harm.  Continue using the abdominal binder for compression.

Accidental drain pulling is very common after an abdominoplasty.  Usually, we like to remove the drains when the output is less than 30 mL per day.  Depending on where the drains were placed during your operation, the remaining left drain will most likely begin draining more than previously because the right drain will not be there to remove fluid.  This is completely normal and is a good sign!  After 12 days, the drain fluid should be a clear, yellow color but the smell of the actual fluid can vary.  Signs of a seroma developing can be: more or different pain, new swelling, the feeling of fluid under your skin, or redness to the skin.  If any of these things begin to happen, I would see your plastic surgeon for an examination.  Congrats on your new tummy and good luck! 

Accidently removing a drain can put you at risk of having a seroma. However in my practice is rare to keep a drain for so long. The only presence of drainage can cause to occur a  inflammatory reaction fluids. Ask your surgeon for an evaluation of a possible seroma in the area.