Is it normal to have seroma fluid leaking almost one month post op of lumpectomy? (photos)

Question

I had a lumpectomy on my breast 1/21. They removed a small benign mass along with a milk duct. Since surgery I've had fluid leaking. In the beginning it was pink/red fluid and now it's yellowish/orange which I believe to be seroma fluid. It's now 2/17 is it still normal for the fluid to still be leaking? It's coming from 3 different locations. One of which is a small hole where a stich is poking through.

Robert Whitfield, MD · Answer

This is very frustrating for you I am sure.  At the breast surgeons office they may have an ultrasound and can offer to drain it.  If not you can be sent for an ultrasound to evaluate the area.  With the information from the ultrasound they can hopefully develop a plan to get this solved for you.

Heather Richardson, MD, FACS · Answer

It can take time for the tissues to heal after any surgery. Managing the healing process by inserting a drain to wick away the fluid so it is not constantly leaking and creating a mess through the skin is preferable and what we would do at our center. I don't have a clear understanding of where your incision is and how the drainage is occurring. Is this on the breast skin? Why was the incision not hidden in the areolar margin, axillary area or inframammary fold to eliminate the presence/minimize the appearance of the final scar?

Is it normal to have seroma fluid leaking almost one month post op of lumpectomy? (photos)

Answers (2)