I’m a 50yr old female. I had a tummy tuck and soon after pulling my drain I developed a seroma. It was drained at least 5 times until there was only 5cc. I continue to feel a lump above the umbilical are. I continued to hear your swollen n things will resolve. It has been 11 months and I had an ultrasound which proved to be a small seroma plus a wall of thick scar tissue that is hard to the touch. My plastic surgeon says leave it alone. Is there a risk in not removing it?
Answer: Chronic Seroma A chronic seroma has created a “pseudo bursa” which means a capsule which will prevent the skin to get attached to the abdominal wall.
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Answer: Chronic Seroma A chronic seroma has created a “pseudo bursa” which means a capsule which will prevent the skin to get attached to the abdominal wall.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Is There a Risk in Not Removing a Pseudo Seroma 11 Months Post-Op? Hello Modest206393. Thank you for your question regarding the pseudo seroma 11 months after your tummy tuck.
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Answer: Is There a Risk in Not Removing a Pseudo Seroma 11 Months Post-Op? Hello Modest206393. Thank you for your question regarding the pseudo seroma 11 months after your tummy tuck.
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November 7, 2023
Answer: It would likely be riskier to remove it than leave it alone You likely have a chronic seroma cavity. This means scar tissue formed around the seroma area and it will stay that way indefinitely. There is little to no risk in leaving it alone. Theoretically it could get infected but that is HIGHLY unlikely. Your risk would be a lot higher trying to remove it because you could have wound problems, infection, anesthesia complications, a whole slew of things. If your surgeon recommended against removing it and it doesn't bother you that much I would agree with that plan.
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November 7, 2023
Answer: It would likely be riskier to remove it than leave it alone You likely have a chronic seroma cavity. This means scar tissue formed around the seroma area and it will stay that way indefinitely. There is little to no risk in leaving it alone. Theoretically it could get infected but that is HIGHLY unlikely. Your risk would be a lot higher trying to remove it because you could have wound problems, infection, anesthesia complications, a whole slew of things. If your surgeon recommended against removing it and it doesn't bother you that much I would agree with that plan.
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October 18, 2023
Answer: Seroma This seroma is now organized and will probably not go away on its own. If it is not bothering you, it can be left in place. Otherwise, it will need to be excised, including the wall of its cavity and drain used again.
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October 18, 2023
Answer: Seroma This seroma is now organized and will probably not go away on its own. If it is not bothering you, it can be left in place. Otherwise, it will need to be excised, including the wall of its cavity and drain used again.
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October 17, 2023
Answer: Likely no risk but it will persist The area has probably developed into a chronic seroma which is not likely to ever resolve at this point. Probably no risk to leaving it except the persistent lump. Unfortunately, the only way to resolve it now is to surgically excise it, which involves a surgical exposure similar to the tummy tuck dissection that you originally had. Removal may also result in a contour deformity--a depression where the lump is--which you might like even less than the lump. Hope that helps and good luck!
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October 17, 2023
Answer: Likely no risk but it will persist The area has probably developed into a chronic seroma which is not likely to ever resolve at this point. Probably no risk to leaving it except the persistent lump. Unfortunately, the only way to resolve it now is to surgically excise it, which involves a surgical exposure similar to the tummy tuck dissection that you originally had. Removal may also result in a contour deformity--a depression where the lump is--which you might like even less than the lump. Hope that helps and good luck!
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