Lipoma surgery in right under arms. What should I do about this fluid?

Question

My surgery is done on 18 th of July nd after a week dr. Removed all bandage and all ... After that fluid start collecting at that area and my under arms is swelling with pain. And after fews days dr. Suction all fluid with the injection.. and again fluid start collecting... And than dr. Decided to put drainage ... On 1 st of August my 2 nd operation done and till date the fluid doesn't stop.. what should I do...? Is it normal?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

A drain may be required to address recurrent seroma formation from a lipoma surgery. SwellX tablets may also help.Best, Dr. Karamanoukian#Realself100 Surgeon

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your fluid buildup and complications.  This can occur frequently in the underarm area and either serial aspirations or drain placement is best performed.  This will improve given enough time and it sounds as if you are in close communication with your surgeon so hang in there!

Heather Richardson, MD, FACS · Answer

Fluid build up in a surgery site is normal- it comes from the tissue surfaces leaking fluid to cushion and clean themselves as they heal. We call this a seroma. Once the tissue has a chance to heal and seal itself back together, the fluid decreases and the body eventually resorbs what it made. Ideally, we like to wick away the fluid with a drain to allow healing tissue surfaces more opportunity to be in contact with one another and stick together. If the drain was removed before the tissue site was dry enough, sometimes fluid can re-accumulate in the surgery site. This is usually easily solved by draining the fluid with a needle or placing another drain with ultrasound guidance. Sometimes if the amount of fluid a small enough, simple watching and waiting will allow the body to absorb it and eventually it will go away. The good news is that with time and patience, it will heal!

Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

No, this does not sound normal.  While some fluid accumulation occurs regularly, and can be controlled either with a drain, or serial aspirations, or opening the wound - this seems like it's outside the norm.  I'm not sure exacting where you had the surgery (ie, what part of your arm) but if it's in your axilla (armpit) then you have to consider possible injury to the lymphatic system.  That is beyond anything that can be assessed via this forum so I think it's time for you to seek a second opinion from a board-certified plastic surgeon near you.  Hopefully this will help you heal faster.  I hope that this helps and good luck, Dr. Alan Engler, Member of #RealSelf500

Lipoma surgery in right under arms. What should I do about this fluid?

Answers (4)