2 years post op Tummy Tuck, I found that I have a seroma. What will/should happen now?

Question

I had my TT and muscle repair done 2 years ago with a small vertical incision and I was very happy with the result. I had 1 seroma drained twice. My tt always felt tight but around Christmas 2014 it started feeling uncomfortable, like it was being stretched, my GP prescribed nortriptalyne for nerve pain and my surgeon couldnt find anything wrong on examination. I have just been for a scan a large seroma was found right in the middle of my lower tummy. What will/should happen now ???

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

You need to go back to your plastic surgeon have the capsule for this seroma removed and the incision closed over the drains with compression. Hopefully this will resolve any further from seroma formation

J. Garrett Harper, MD · Answer

I am sorry for your complication, but this can be addressed relatively straight-forwardly.  The fluid that has stuck around has developed a lining around it that has prevented your tissues from being able to absorb the fluid.  You need this lining (and the fluid inside it) removed.  This is done in the OR and uses your pre-existing tummy tuck incision.  Drains should be placed and then removed when the fluid output is low enough that it's safe (typically 25-30 cc per day for several days in a row).  You will wear a compression garment to help the new tissues heal together and not allow for this sac/bursa to re-appear.

Douglas Leppink, MD · Answer

A Seroma should generally be drained when it is identified. In the early post-op period drainage can be safely performed in the Plastic Surgeon's office under local anesthesia with a small needle. Occasionally this may require two or three visits, but the seroma generally resolves with this procedure. When a seroma is well established after two years then an operative procedure to remove it may be necessary. The wall of the seroma may not collapse and heal closed with simple aspiration. Please speak with your previous Plastic Surgeon for their advice in your particular case.

2 years post op Tummy Tuck, I found that I have a seroma. What will/should happen now?

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2 years post op Tummy Tuck, I found that I have a seroma. What will/should happen now?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.