Are infections and seroma after a tummy tuck common and what causes this?

Question

Is it common to get tummy tuck infections (serious) or minor? And also seroma ?? If so, what causes this .., doctors fault who carried out the surgery?

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

A seroma is a known risk after a tummy tuck because the surgery lifts tissue, creates a space under the skin, and interrupts small lymphatic channels. It does not automatically mean the surgeon did something wrong. Risk can be influenced by the amount of dissection, previous surgery, BMI, smoking, diabetes, activity level, drain timing, compression, bleeding, and individual healing biology.

Infection can also happen, but a serious infection is less common when surgery and aftercare are appropriate. The cause has to be judged from the examination, timing, cultures if taken, wound appearance, operative details, and follow-up care. Fever, worsening pain, spreading redness, foul drainage, wound opening, or rapidly increasing swelling should be assessed urgently by the operating surgeon or an emergency service.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding infections and seromas following a tummy tuck. Both are known complications that can occur after the procedure, but they are generally uncommon when the surgery is performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Let’s break down these issues and their causes:

While rare, infections can occur after any surgery, including a tummy tuck. The risks can be minimized with proper surgical technique, sterile environments, and post-operative care. Infections may range from mild (redness and warmth around the incision) to more severe cases involving abscesses or systemic symptoms like fever. Factors that may increase the risk of infection include:

Poor hygiene during recovery or improper wound care.
Pre-existing health conditions (e.g., diabetes or obesity).
Smoking, which impairs healing.
Bacterial contamination during surgery, though this is rare with good surgical practices.
Infections are not usually the fault of the surgeon if they follow standard procedures, but they must be promptly addressed with antibiotics or, in severe cases, drainage of abscesses.

A seroma is a collection of fluid that can build up under the skin after surgery. This is more common in tummy tucks due to the large area of tissue manipulation. Seromas may feel like a squishy lump or cause swelling and discomfort. Contributing factors include:

Increased physical activity or pressure on the incision site too soon after surgery.
While seromas are not uncommon, they are typically not the surgeon's fault and can be managed with drainage procedures or, in some cases, sclerotherapy (a chemical agent to close the cavity). Persistent or recurring seromas might require surgical intervention.

To reduce the risk of infections and seromas, follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully, including drain management and activity restrictions.
Maintain a healthy weight and avoid smoking before and after surgery.
Stay hydrated and eat a high-protein diet to promote healing.
If you notice signs of infection or a seroma, contact your plastic surgeon immediately. Prompt treatment minimizes complications and ensures the best possible recovery.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Joe Gryskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry. Infections and seroma's are not common after an abdominoplasty but can definitely occur. Seroma's are fluid under the skin that may be caused from inadequate compression, rest and recovery. Same holds true for infections. If the incision is not cared for properly and post op instructions are not being followed, infections can occur. Infections tend to be mild if caught and treated early. I have provided a link to our website that explains the procedure, risks involved, and after care recovery. If you have any other questions or concerns, please let us know.

Thank you,
Dr. (Joe) Gryskiewicz

Thank you,
Dr. (Joe) Gryskiewicz

Leo J. Urbinelli, MD, MA, FAAP · Answer

Infection after tummy tuck is not particularly common, however minor superficial skin infection (cellulitis) can occur after any surgery in which the skin is broken (incised in surger) which can allow bacteria in. These minor infections are usually easily treatable to oral antibiotics and careful attention to hygeine and wound care. More serious infections are quite rare. 
Seromas are quite common after tummy tuck and can occur after any surgery in which an empty space is created (under the skin and over the muscle in the case of tummy tuck) and many surgeons will try to prevent these with drains, or placing internal (progressive tension) sutures under the skin the close down this empty space to minimize the chance of a seroma (sterile fluid collection under the skin). Seromas are often easily treated with drainage in an office setting on weekly basis, followed by strict compression. Be sure drainage is done using sterile technique so as to not introduce bacteria.
These are not the "surgeon's fault", the are a known and non-zero risk of doing any surgery. Bacteria live on our skin and after surgery the bacteria can find small microscopic entry points into the surgical site and under the skin. If you are seeing a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, the will know the best ways to prevent infection and treat it. Good luck and hopefully clear sailing ahead!

Keith C. Neaman, MD · Answer

Both infections and seromas are rare occurrences following a tummy tuck. Seromas can occur when the body isn’t able to handle the amount of fluid the body creates following surgery. Infections on the other hand can occur for a variety of reasons. Both this and infections are usually not a sign of poor surgical technique but a sign of poor patient selection.

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @Peaceful383196, thank you for your question. It is important to follow the postoperative treatment recommendations and follow the specialist's guidelines to the letter. A seroma or infection is something that can happen by chance. As long as you follow the doctors' orders and follow up post-operative protocols, you can receive treatment right away. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Geuris Cruz Quiroz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Seroma is an accumulation of liquid in a certain area of your body, usually abdomen area and can be avoid with the right compression, in the cases the patient has it the surgery need to drain it and the compression need to be correct to your body can also absorb the liquid that created the seroma, Infection will depend the kind of infection we talk about, there is a different kind of it and will depend of the surgeon and the patient as well, some infections after a tummy tuck procedure can be for too many and the wrong manipulation and cleaning of the incisions. My recommendations is before surgery have a conversation with your surgeon and ask for their protocol.

Hope this helps
Dr. Quiroz

Hope this helps
Dr. Quiroz

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Normally complication rates after a tummy tuck are limited.  Common side effects would be a seroma build up.  Ways to help prevent that would be proper tight compression.  Seroma's are a build up of fluid that your body is used to producing to help keep the tissue and skin alive that has just been removed.  Hence the reason why compression after surgery is super important.  It's not necessarily anyone's fault if this does occur.  Infection rates tend to be low, most Surgeons would put their patient on antibiotics before and after surgery to help prevent that.  I would suggest speaking with your Surgeon of choice to help ease your mind.  Best of luck to you.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Minor infections are occasionally seen and easily treated with antibiotics. Seromas are more common but readily resolved in the vast majority of cases

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Peaceful383196,
infections and seroma can occur after any surgery. The risk of complications is very low after elective procedures. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Are infections and seroma after a tummy tuck common and what causes this?

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