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How Long Do You Have to Wear a Binder if You Have a Seroma? (photo)

I had a tummy tuck 40 days ago. I have been having repeated aspirations to remove the fluid from a seroma since 23 days post-op. I was also told to wear my binder extra tight to reduce the fluid build up. At first, my seroma was draining around 180cc and now its around 35 cc. My PS says I am very swollen in my peri area. I will be 6 weeks post-op in 3 days. I included pictures I took today on day 40. How long do you have to wear a binder after you have had a seroma?

Doctor Answers 5

How long do you have to wear a binder if you have a seroma?

November 10th, 2014
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Hello! Thank you for your question!. The tummy tuck procedure is an excellent method for contouring of your abdomen, often removing the excess skin as well as tightening the abdominal wall. After nearly all surgical procedures, a potential space is created from where the surgical procedure/dissection was performed. This is especially true for the tummy tuck, in where the abdominal flap is raised off of the abdominal wall and then redraped atop the area to contour the abdomen. The procedure alone promotes swelling and inflammation, which typically lasts for 6-12 weeks. This may even last longer if liposuction has been performed in addition. During this time, a few things may be done to allow adherence of the abdominal skin/soft tissue to readhere to the abdominal wall and close that space. Many surgeons use drains to evacuate the expected serous fluid from building up. Stagnant fluid as such may be a nidus for infection as well as does not allow the tissue to adhere back to its normal anatomic position. Drains usually are removed once output is <30cc/day - usually removed within 3-4 weeks on average, sometimes longer. When this occurs, a seroma may develop - which may require aspiration or surgical evacuation to rid this in order to optimize your result.

This is not an uncommon reason for persistent swelling and/or bulging in a certain area of your belly. Of course, thwarting the development of a pseudobursa, or seroma capsule, is always best, to provide the best result as well as avoid any future procedures for this. This may be a troubling consequence and often compromises your overall result. Thus avoiding this complication, in whatever manner, is the objective. "Drainless" tummy tucks are becoming more popular - basically, the overlying tissue is physically sutured to the abdominal wall to close the potential space. In addition, most surgeons typically restrict vigorous activity/strenuous exercise as well as lifting restrictions of usually <20#, especially the core, for 6-8 weeks to allow healing to continue. Most also often recommend an abdominal compression-type binder or garment, which will serve to provide compression as well as assist to decrease swelling and eliminate the dead-space of the area for at least 6 weeks as well. After the initial binder, many patients like the Spanx garments. Most patients are able to return to most activities within a couple of weeks, provided they adhere to the restrictions.

Overall, this is a procedure with a high satisfaction rate. Discuss the procedure and postoperative instructions/restrictions with your surgeon, as these will vary among surgeons. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!
Lewis Albert Andres, MD


Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 22 reviews

Binder recommendations after a tummy tuck.

January 13th, 2012
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Each patient is individualized as to how long they need their binder. From your description, the seroma is improving and seems likely to resolve without further intervention. Your surgeon will dictate how long you need to wear the binder.

Web reference: http://www.drbogue.com

David Bogue, MD

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 18 reviews

Seroma and binder wearing after a tummy tuck

January 11th, 2012
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It appears that your seroma is resolving under the care of your plastic surgeon. As he/she is your treating doctor who knows your situation quite well, I would follow his/her recommendations.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 27 reviews

You may need to have drain reinserted

January 11th, 2012
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The treatment for the seroma is aspiration and external compression. Your surgeon is taking care of the problem and you will be fine. I would suggest reinsertion of the drain and leaving it for a week . There are special drain that are designed for this.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 109 reviews

Tummy Tuck and Seroma/Binder?

January 10th, 2012
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Thank you for the question and pictures.

Your plastic surgeon will be able to guide you in regard to the use of binder/garment;  since he/she knows your situation best  I would follow his/her recommendations as opposed to online consultants.

It sounds like you are over the worse part of recovery. Best wishes.

Web reference: http://www.poustiplasticsurgery.com/Procedures/procedure_tummytuck.htm

Tom J. Pousti, MD, FACS

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.