Seroma 8 weeks after tummy tuck? Should I go to the ER and have it drained, as it is difficult to find a doctor.

Hello, I can't comment whether your ER would be comfortable assessing and managing a seroma.  Despite the distance to your surgeon perhaps it would be best to arrange management with them.  Postoperative care is an important part of surgery and needs to be taken into consideration when traveling for surgery.  I hope everything goes well.

This is a recurring problem on these pages. When patients travel out of the country for surgery and have complications, they have trouble finding help. You will be better off seeing a plastic surgeon if you can find one, but otherwise the ER may be your next option. Your primary doc may be able to help find a surgeon. All the best. 

I am sorry to hear about the problem you are experiencing. Although it may be challenging to find a plastic surgeon to help you, it will be in your best interest to do so, as opposed to presenting to the emergency room ( where you will likely not find the level of expertise necessary). Best wishes with your efforts and for an outcome that you will be pleased with long-term.

Thank you for the question. If this is a seroma it may require percutaneous drainage with needle and syringe or potentially even surgical drainage and placement of a drain tube. If left untreated the fluid cavity may become a lined pocket or become infected. While the ER physician can make the diagnosis, they will not be able to evacuate the seroma and place a drain surgically should it be needed.At this point I would refer you to the American Board of Plastic Surgery website to help you in the search for a qualified plastic surgeon in your area. It would then be up to you to call around to find a plastic surgeon that would be willing to evaluate and treat you. I hope this helps. Best wishes

I would call some plastic surgeons in New York and see if they will be willing to see you.  However, if you find someone they likely will charge for the visit and will charge a procedure fee if you need to have the seroma drained.  This exact issue is why we URGE patients not to go out of the country to try to save money.  If complications arise, it can be very expensive to treat.  Wish you the best.

Unfortunately, without a physical exam, it is extremely difficult to diagnose the cause of your bulge; however, I wouldn't expect a seroma to occur spontaneously 8 weeks after surgery.  Since you traveled out of the country to have your surgery, you have three options:  1)  you can go to the ER and see if an emergency room physician is able to evaluate and treat your problem, 2) you can find a board certified plastic surgeon in your area who is willing to evaluate and treat you, or 3) you can travel and see the surgeon who performed your surgery.  If you choose to see someone in your local area, he or she will likely charge a consult fee and whatever else may be necessary to treat your problem.  While it may seem cheaper to travel to have surgery, in the long run, if there are complications, it can result in additional, unplanned expenses.  Good luck!