Seroma or swelling? I am 3 weeks post abdominal lipo. My lower abs have always been the most bruised, tender and swollen (photo)

Hello. Great question. A personal examination is needed to determine if what you have is seroma or swelling. Please schedule a follow up with your surgeon. You are still early in your recovery process.

elasroftonI appreciate your concern, however this is another argument why it is usually better to have your surgery performed by a board certified plastic surgeon near you. It is difficult to determine from photographs whether the area of swelling is a seroma or simply residual edema. It can take as long as six months for all postoperative swelling to resolve.Consult with the boys certified Plasticsurgery need your area to evaluate your particular recovery needs. Good luck.

Swelling post-lipo can persist for months, so it's important to be on the right after care protocols. I recommend following up with your physician about their suggested after care protocol. I have my patients wear compression for 3 to 6 weeks straight then overnight for 3-6 months after their procedure. I suggest adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression to help decrease swelling. To improve your final results, I also recommend adding Vanquish for further fat removal; truSculpt iD, Exilis, Forma, and Venus Legacy for additional skin tightening; and Cellutone / ZWave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance.
It will take 6 to 12 months to see the final outcome. 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

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
You are still early on the healing process, it can take up to six months to see your final results, so please be patient. At the stage you are in, inflammation and irregularities are normal.
If you have any concerns, please follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

Many thanks for the question and pictures.
As you state, it is very difficult to comment on just the photos and advise accurately without an in-person examination.
It is fair to say that your swelling appears minimal from the pictures and that it can take months for the swelling to settle post-lipo. I would therefore advise that you follow your Board Certified Surgeon's post-op protocols.
Should you have a seroma, then it is usual for small serums to resolve by reabsorption. Larger ones I recommend to get drained, often more than once should they recur - they quite often do.
Ultimately, I appreciate that you said your Doctor isn't local, but for the sake of your sanity and ultimately the final result of your procedure, I would advise that you make a trip to see them. Failing that you have lots of good board certified Plastic Surgeons in and around the New London area and elsewhere in Connecticut that you can go and see for advice/help.
I wish you well.
Marcus

Hi.  It is difficult to tell from your photographs, but from your description, (if you can clearly move the fluid from one side to the other) this is indicative of a seroma.  An ultrasound is a simple study you can get to be sure.  Please see a board certified plastic surgeon to be evaluated and treated.