Is the ruptured blister on my incision, my seroma "s fluid looking for a way out or is it suture spitting? (Photos)

Question

I am 11 weeks post op tummy tuck . . Now a blister appeared on my incision in the centre of pubic area. It ruptured,then bled, then thick dark pink greasy looking fluid,Once that came out the layers of gauze i applied would soak through with clear yellowish fluid. . I am now left with a hole in the incision, deep enough to stick the head of a q tip in it.My surgeon seems to think I had a cyst Will this hole close up quickly enough? , Is this something more serious etc?

Christopher Saunders, MD · Answer

Hi!

The pics helped. This isn't spitting stitches. It is a fluid problem, like a chronic seroma and wound. The good news is that it appears well drained.

Treatment is topic antibiotics, showers and gauze. Cultures should be done just in case oral antibiotics are needed. Wound vacs can be considered, but are not usually done.

The odds should be that it heals extremely well, but will take a couple of months.

See your doctor regularly. The end result should still be very good. Don't worry.

Dr Chris Saunders

Andre Panossian, MD · Answer

Eleven weeks following tummy tuck is a long time for the usual postoperative problems.  It appears that you may have a seroma that grew and now expressed itself through the point of least resistance:  your incision.  Sometimes, the drainage can be self-limited, and other times, the opening will need to be opened more to allow for proper decompression and packing of the wound with gauze. In my experience, these types of seromas should be opened a bit more in the office, washed thoroughly, and packed with saline moistened gauze (or other wetting solution such as Dakins).  This will need to be kept up 1-3 times a day depending on the amount of soiling of the wound.  Epsom salt baths 1-2 times per day will also help.  I usually do not place patients on antibiotics, if wound care is monitored and is deemed adequate with good progression to closure.  Occasionally, a more aggressive debridement may be required in the operating room to allow the tissues to heal faster.

Is the ruptured blister on my incision, my seroma "s fluid looking for a way out or is it suture spitting? (Photos)

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Is the ruptured blister on my incision, my seroma "s fluid looking for a way out or is it suture spitting? (Photos)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.