How to get rid of fluid pockets? (Photo)

Question

I am two weeks post op 360 lipo. I have had 10 massages so far and I’m happy with my results thus far except I have two fluid pockets on both sides of my stomach right above my groin area. When will this go away? Should I have it aspirated or is this just swelling? Also my navel string hurts like it’s pulling, is this normal?

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

dallasj123 I appreciate your concern, however it is still quite early in your recovery journey from fairly extensive liposuction. The areas of concern should settle down with time. Also, 10 lymphatic massages within a two week period after surgery sounds a bit excessive to me and I would back off from the massages at this time. There is no proof that lymphatic massage after liposuction speed recovery, and they can also be quite painful. Follow up with your plastic surgeon as needed. Good luck.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello.
Great question. I am sorry for your post op difficulties. Your surgeon should drain your fluid collection. Please follow up with him asap as he knows you best.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Swelling post-lipo can persist for months, so it's important to be on the right after care protocols. I have my patients wear compression for 3 to 6 weeks straight then overnight for 3 to 6 months after their procedure. In addition to compression, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and radiofrequency treatments, lymphatic massage is highly effective in the prevention of fluid buildup, scar tissue, inflammation, and infections. Lymphatic massage also decreases the chance of irregularities, lumps or bumps; accelerates healing and minimizes downtime; and, following a liposculpture procedure, can help further contour the abdominals. I recommend that my liposculpture patients receive lymphatic massage treatments every day for a week following their procedure; twice per week for the following month; and then once per week until healing is complete.Ultimately, if you are unhappy with your results, please speak to your physician and ensure that he/she was a full body VASER Hi-Definition liposuction physician with extensive experience in contouring and body shaping -- and not just traditional fat reduction. You can always get a revision procedure by an expert if needed. Best, Dr. Emer

Alex Campbell, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. You're still in the early stage of healing and should give it more time to heal to see the final results.  It's best to follow your surgeons specific advice post-operatively. I  have my liposuction patients wear a compression garment (faja) covering all treated 24/7 except to shower for 4 weeks post op.  This helps ontrol swelling as the compression on your tissues helps your body to reabsorb the edema fluid that accumulates in the tissues after any procedure. This can take quite some time to happen without help from the compression garments.  It also helps improve  contour.  Compression helps to keep the tissues adherent to the underlying structures while healing, this can help prevent the wrinkled skin appearance that can happen when the tissues heal in ways we don't want them to.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Only 2 weeks post operative.... Continue massages and ask the operative surgeons recommendation/s if you could determine if other modalities are useful, as Dr Emer has outlined in his response. But you must be sure the ? swelling is fluid vs tissue edema.

Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your questions as well as the photos. I would recommend visiting your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss the areas you're referring to. There could just be swelling, or like you stated it could be fluid build-up. Your surgeon will examine the area and decide whether its one or the other. If it is fluid, and you're already in the office he/she will most likely aspirate the areas. If it's a small amount they will most likely tell you to keep compression on the area to prevent the fluid from being able to collect again. If they remove a high volume, they may have you come for a visit a week later or so to attempt another aspiration. Regardless of the treatment, cosmetic outcome is usually not affected by the presence of a seroma. Good luck and best wishes.

John P. Stratis, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions and pictures.The fluid that you have is not at all unusual and probably not fluid that is a collection. Rather it is probably like fluid in a sponge and will eventually go away. It tends to accumulate in that location due to both gravity and compression. Be patient.Best to you.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

The buildup of fluid after surgery is called a seroma. If this is the case then it should be drained through aspiration.  Failure to do so can lead to the development of an encapsulated Seroma. Once a capsule form these may not be amenable to aspiration alone and may require surgical excision.  The correct treatment for a seroma it's early and frequent aspirations. Ideally once a day or every couple of days. That may not always be possible but the more frequently it's drained the less likely it is to form an encapsulation. It's important to differentiate this between simple swelling which does not need intervention. Follow up with your provider. Best, Mats Hagstrom M.D.

How to get rid of fluid pockets? (Photo)

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