I'm 23 days post-op from a TT. Had my drains removed on day 8 post op. They averaged less than 27 cc' s total in two 24 hour periods prior to removal. I started noticing a lot of swelling above the incision a few days ago. Had an appt with my surgeon today and he treated with serial aspiration removing about 110 cc's of fluid. My questions are (1) any theories as to why I formed a seroma and (2) what can I do to prevent It from returning? Thanks for your guidance!
Answer: Tummy tuck seroma Seroma is one of the most common complications after a tummy tuck. Most important is to limit your activity, try to rest, do not do house work (vacuuming, strenuous activity, lifting, sex). Where a tight band around your tummy to maintain compression, the skin has to restick , compression helps. See your plastic surgeon frequently, once or twice a week until the fluid cannot be aspirated by him. Follow up after it stops to be sure it does not recur. In 27 years of practice I have only seen one that needed a reoperation for a thick unresolved seroma, in a patient who did not return for follow up until 6 months later. Good luck...
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Answer: Tummy tuck seroma Seroma is one of the most common complications after a tummy tuck. Most important is to limit your activity, try to rest, do not do house work (vacuuming, strenuous activity, lifting, sex). Where a tight band around your tummy to maintain compression, the skin has to restick , compression helps. See your plastic surgeon frequently, once or twice a week until the fluid cannot be aspirated by him. Follow up after it stops to be sure it does not recur. In 27 years of practice I have only seen one that needed a reoperation for a thick unresolved seroma, in a patient who did not return for follow up until 6 months later. Good luck...
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
June 24, 2015
Answer: Tummy Tuck and Seroma Formation This is the most common issue after tummy tuck surgery. Once an open space is created in the body, in the instance of a tummy tuck, the skin and fat are separated from the underlying muscles, there is a tendency for the body to want to fill up the area with fluid. The reason drains are put in is to help drain the fluid while the two layers (skin/fat and muscle) adhere back together again. As long as there is a fluid interface, the two layers will not mend and there will be fluid accumulation and a vicious circle.When the drainage is low enough, as was in your case, it is sufficient to remove the drains and depend on the body to absorb some of the fluid. Now if activity is not kept to a minimum, especially after the drains are removed, a seroma will happen. I usually ask my patients to literally do nothing for 1 week following the drain removal. They can go back to work as long as they have a desk job, but I do not want them to get their heart rate and blood pressure up.At this point, 110 cc is quite a bit of fluid, so you need to follow your surgeons recommendations. I usually have the patients apply extra compression over the area, for example they place a foam pad under their spanx/girdle to help close the space.Hope that helps.Good luck.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
June 24, 2015
Answer: Tummy Tuck and Seroma Formation This is the most common issue after tummy tuck surgery. Once an open space is created in the body, in the instance of a tummy tuck, the skin and fat are separated from the underlying muscles, there is a tendency for the body to want to fill up the area with fluid. The reason drains are put in is to help drain the fluid while the two layers (skin/fat and muscle) adhere back together again. As long as there is a fluid interface, the two layers will not mend and there will be fluid accumulation and a vicious circle.When the drainage is low enough, as was in your case, it is sufficient to remove the drains and depend on the body to absorb some of the fluid. Now if activity is not kept to a minimum, especially after the drains are removed, a seroma will happen. I usually ask my patients to literally do nothing for 1 week following the drain removal. They can go back to work as long as they have a desk job, but I do not want them to get their heart rate and blood pressure up.At this point, 110 cc is quite a bit of fluid, so you need to follow your surgeons recommendations. I usually have the patients apply extra compression over the area, for example they place a foam pad under their spanx/girdle to help close the space.Hope that helps.Good luck.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Breast Augmentation Thanks for your question. Seromas are fluid collections that if untreated can become chronic. Compression and decreased activity will decrease the chance of occurrence but sometimes surgery is needed to treat the problem. Consult a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon about your options.All the best,Dr. ResultsMiami, FL
Helpful
Answer: Breast Augmentation Thanks for your question. Seromas are fluid collections that if untreated can become chronic. Compression and decreased activity will decrease the chance of occurrence but sometimes surgery is needed to treat the problem. Consult a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon about your options.All the best,Dr. ResultsMiami, FL
Helpful
June 23, 2015
Answer: Check the protein level You must check the level of serum protein. At low protein oncotic edema develop. If it is lower than 75 g / l - increase protein in the diet. Required the compression bandage. If there seroma month after surgery - may be required resurgery: removing seromas capsule.
Helpful
June 23, 2015
Answer: Check the protein level You must check the level of serum protein. At low protein oncotic edema develop. If it is lower than 75 g / l - increase protein in the diet. Required the compression bandage. If there seroma month after surgery - may be required resurgery: removing seromas capsule.
Helpful
June 23, 2015
Answer: Recurrent seroma after tummy tuck Recurrent seroma after a tummy tuck happens in up to 8%. Progressive tension sutures on the underside of the skin flap prevents seroma formation and I have used this in all my abdominoplasty and significantly reduce my seroma rate. Since it has happened in your case, your surgeon will aspirate the seroma frequently and your body will eventually stop forming fluid. He could also add a medication such as kenalog into the seroma cavity to prevent recurrence after aspiration. Good luck.
Helpful
June 23, 2015
Answer: Recurrent seroma after tummy tuck Recurrent seroma after a tummy tuck happens in up to 8%. Progressive tension sutures on the underside of the skin flap prevents seroma formation and I have used this in all my abdominoplasty and significantly reduce my seroma rate. Since it has happened in your case, your surgeon will aspirate the seroma frequently and your body will eventually stop forming fluid. He could also add a medication such as kenalog into the seroma cavity to prevent recurrence after aspiration. Good luck.
Helpful
