Massage for Reducing Swelling from Seroma?

Thanks for the great question -
Massage is not likely to prevent seroma but can be useful as a technique to reduce swelling.
Your lymphatics remove excess fluid from your tissues and return it to your circulation. After surgery some of these channels are cut and time is needed to allow regrowth of these pathways.
Massage can be an effective way to reduce swelling by recruiting other lymphatic channels to reduce some of the fluid.
I hope this helps.

Hello, Sheri Farmer. Thank you for your question regarding massage to reduce swelling from a seroma after a tummy tuck. Managing a seroma, which is a collection of fluid that builds up under the surface of your skin, is crucial for a smooth recovery. Properly performing massage can help in reducing or preventing swelling from a seroma. Here are some guidelines:

Firstly, always consult with your plastic surgeon before starting any massage technique. They can provide personalized instructions based on your specific condition. Using clean hands, gently apply light pressure with your fingertips around the seroma area. Use circular motions to help disperse the fluid. Avoid pressing directly on the seroma as it may cause discomfort or further complications. This specialized massage technique can help reduce swelling and improve fluid drainage. Begin by massaging the lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, and groin to stimulate the lymphatic system. Then, using light, sweeping motions, massage from the seroma area towards these lymph nodes. This encourages fluid movement towards areas where it can be naturally reabsorbed by your body.

While not a massage technique, keeping the affected area elevated can aid in reducing swelling. When resting, prop yourself up with pillows to elevate your abdomen above the level of your heart. Wearing compression garments as recommended by your surgeon can also help manage seroma fluid. These garments provide gentle pressure to the area, aiding in fluid dispersal and reducing swelling. Staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy diet can support your body's natural healing processes. Proper nutrition helps in reducing inflammation and promotes faster recovery.

Always monitor the seroma area for signs of infection or increased swelling. If you experience redness, warmth, severe pain, or increased swelling, contact your plastic surgeon immediately. These could be signs of an infection or other complications requiring medical attention.

I hope these guidelines help you in managing your seroma. Good luck with your recovery, and be sure to follow up with your plastic surgeon for the best advice tailored to your situation.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

thank you for your question,
If your lymphatic drainage is performed for a trained lymphatic massage therapist it will be very beneficial in post-operative to reduce swelling, improves circulation, increases your metabolic rate, and. Has the potential to improve your immunity.
good luck.

When abdominoplasty patients develop swelling in the
post-operative period, massage can be very helpful. In contrast, when patients
develop seromas, drainage is usually always indicated. Seromas are well formed collections
of fluid that won’t respond to massage. Failure to drain a seroma can result in
secondary complications.

There is no role for massage in the treatment of a seroma.  This is a collection of fluid under the skin and fat not uncommon after abdominopasty.  Treatment is serial aspiration.  Massage has no role in treatment.

Seromas are collections of fluid under the skin.
Seromas should be drained, and not be allowed to resorb on their own.
If left untreated, seromas can become permanent and form a capsule that needs to be removed surgically.
They can also become infected.
There are various methods of reducing swelling, primarily by reducing activity levels, applying compressing, avoiding prolonged sitting, and lymphatic massage. However these are treatments for surgical swelling, not seroma.

Probably the best technique is manual lymphatic drainage also known as MLD or the Vodder technique.
This promotes drainage to the regional lymph nodes and encourages diminished swelling (also known as edema) which may help to optimize oxygen delivery to the healing tisssues.

Thank you for your post. Seromas can be painful and cause a cosmetic deformity, as well as sometimes leak. The whole point of drains is to keep a seroma from happening in the first place. If a drainless procedure was performed, and you had a seroma, or you had drains that were pulled and you subsequently had a seroma, then you should be drained, otherwise a capsule builds around the fluid making it permanent. If a capsule builds around the seroma (pseudo bursa or encapsulated seroma) then the only way to remove the seroma is to surgically open the areas and excise the capsule, and close over drains to prevent another seroma from happening. If the seroma is encapsulated and is tight and painful, then it can be confused with just swelling or fat. An ultrasound is useful in distinguishing these and identifying the extent of the seroma. If the seroma is not yet encapsulated, then it is usually loose and has a 'fluid wave' or water bed type feel. Occasionally, a seroma can also become infected, especially if a permanent braided suture was used. This will have a hot, red appearance, and will eventually open up. I have never seen an infection from sterile aspiration of fluid. If seromas continue despite multiple aspirations over an extended period of time, then you need to start thinking about re-openning the incision and excising the entire capsule, both from and back walls, to treat the seroma. Drains need to be placed, internal sutures placed, possibly using a tissue glue or irritant to encourage the tissues to grow together.Best wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD

Massage does not typically reduce a seroma. Massage works very well for generalized swelling following surgery, however a seroma is a collection of fluid and massaging this does nothing to improve resorption. Typically, drains are used to prevent these collections from forming and are complimented with compression wraps or support garments. If a seroma persists, removal of the fluid (often several times) via a small needle and syringe may work. In chronic situations, the seroma cavity may form a wall and need a secondary procedure to correct.

Tummy tucks are an extremely popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. Like all surgery, they have attendant risks. One risk is the development of a seroma. This is the collection of extra fluid underneath the skin. In many cases, this can be prevented with the use of abdominal drains. If you develop a seroma after the drain has been removed, your surgeon may opt to drain the seroma with a needle and a large syringe. To prevent a stroke for coming back, compression is the best technique. Compression will encourage your overlying skin to stick onto the underlying muscle. Your surgeon should recommend a tight compression garment to encourage this to happen. Massage may not be recommended until your tissue has adhered tightly to the underlying muscle. Otherwise, this space may return and fill with additional fluid.

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