5 Days Post Op Breast Reduction, Have Yellow Fluid Leaking From the Incision?

It is common to feel fluid and even air beneath the tissues within the first week following a breast reduction. Occasionally it will leak for a few days following the procedure.From your description it probably represents serum. Typically fluid from irrigation, local anesthesia injected after you are asleep, serum from the raw surfaces and air is trapped in the tissues following breast reduction especially if a drain is not used. When fluid is present and continues to collect rather than decrease over time then this most likely represents a seroma which may have to be drained for treatment. Wearing a support bra and minimizing exercise will hasten the healing process in this case.                                                                                                                             Signs of infection would include increasing redness of the skin around your incisions, marked and progressive swelling, new pain, foul smelling discharge, fever, chills and night sweats. For any of these signs contact your surgeon immediately.

The incisions required to make a breast reduction are generally sizable and often times can leak a modest amount of clear yellow fluid for a few days. When this persists or the color darkens the wound should be brought to the attention of the surgeon.

At 5 days postop clear yellow drainage is likely to be serous fluid.  It sounds like you have some delayed healing of the incision. You need to keep the area clean and dressed. You should also be re-examined by your surgeon to make sure you do not have an early infection.  All the best.

Sometimes fluid can drain from the incision and sometimes the incision breaks down a bit.  It is best to be evaluated in person.