Over a year and stomach still feels like a hard ball (Photo)

Question

I had a tummy tuck over a year ago and in the healing process, I kept getting seroma. After having it drained 4 or 5 times, I finally had a drain put back in. Got that drain removed and then it still felt like something was inside there. The PS told me that its just the way my body healed. But It just doesnt seem right to have to have this hard ball feeling in my stomach right over my bladder for the rest of my life. It has the feeling of a 1st trimester pregnancy.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

If you still have concerns about your seroma and surgical results and you are not satisfied with your surgeon's response you may wish to visit another board certified plastic surgeon in your area for an evaluation. It could be that the seroma has encapsulated. A second opinion may lead to other options or potentially confirm what your surgeon has said.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You may have a bursa or the sac of the seroma still left and that will need to be excised with another drain to be completely removed. Go back to your surgeon and discuss this.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

To make an assessment on the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure, we generally need to see a complete proper set of before, and after pictures.
The most common complication after a tummy tuck is the development of a seroma.
Some of this may be related to when drains are removed or if drains are used.
If a soma develops, it should be treated aggressively until it no longer forms. This generally means having it drained on a regular basis preferably on a daily basis, or as often as possible until fluid, no longer accumulates.
The longer fluid stays accumulated the more likely patients are to develop an encapsulation around the fluid collection creating a chronic seroma. 
If you have a chronic seroma, then it’s generally best treated by having it surgically excised.
This can be done going through the old incision.
I suggest scheduling a few in person second opinion consultations with other providers.
There are a significant number of reasons patients may have bulging after a full tummy tuck.
 The most common reason is individuals who have excess visceral fat.
Without seeing before and after pictures, we can’t really address your outcome.
It is also not evident based on the information provided if you have a chronic seroma.
An ultrasound is generally the study of choice to evaluate fluid collections. I’m not a radiologist so I will refrain from attempting to interpret your radiological images.
For second opinion, consultations, I suggest coming, prepared with a complete set of proper before and after pictures and a copy of your operative report. You may as well just get a complete set of your medical records forwarded if you’re interested in having a proper second opinion consultation.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Over a year and stomach still feels like a hard ball (Photo)

Answers (3)