Seroma or scar tissue? (Photo)

Question

Hi I had tt and lipo on my stomach and flanks on 30th jan abroad.On the 20th Feb realised i had a seroma that unfortunately opened my tt wound and fluid was leaking up till about 2wks ago.I live in England so I whent to A&E.Now my tt wound has heald my stomach has swollen again. The hospital advised that it's now not a seroma it's scar tissue! Been in constant contact with the surgeon who proformed the surgery and he say's it is a seroma. Doctor said they will xra on the 12th April.Please help!

Christian Subbio, MD · Answer

The story and the photos would suggest seroma.  The treatment for this is multiple visits to your surgeon's office over the next few weeks to get this drained.  If it is not drained, sometimes a surgical procedure is needed to remove the fluid collection.  You are likely going to need to follow up with a plastic surgeon stateside and have to pay out of pocket for these treatments.Best of luck!
Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

R. Brannon Claytor, MD, FACS · Answer

Patients who have postoperative complications are well served to follow up with their physician who treated them.  It is very helpful to  see your physician regularly in postop to watch for signs of atypical recovery.  Management of seroma is frequently done by physical exam and aspiration of any fluid if it is noticed. During the operation if the Scarpa's fascia is preserved this has been shown to dramatically reduce postoperative seroma formation.

Alejandro Nogueira, MD · Answer

Who knows best is your surgeon, no matter if he is abroad or not, if he says this is seroma then it is very likely it is; actually looks likely it is; seromas are very rebellious sometimes, specially with tummy tucks, moreover if they have associated liposuction at the adjacent areas.Their diagnosis is by simple palpation, no radiology required, come on... it is a matter of just having a bit of surgical experience and feel the liquid or see the waves when tapping on the skin; anyhow I'd rather follow your original surgeon's instructions, get the tests HE prescribes and do what he instructs to do; normally repeated punctures with a fine needle (almost painless) to extract the liquid with syringe do suffice.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is likely a serum cavity. You would need a sonogram or  MRI to define this. Best of luck . You might need further surgery to eradicate it, if it is a serum cavity.

Ege Ozgentas, MD · Answer

Dear Martin51 diagnosis of the seroma is very easy with ultrasound examination. Treatment of the persistent seroma is surgical excision including the capsule. Good luck.

Seroma or scar tissue? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Seroma

Answer: Seroma

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Answer: Post abdominoplasty seroma

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Seroma or scar tissue? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Seroma

Answer: Seroma

Answer: Post abdominoplasty seroma

Answer: Post abdominoplasty seroma

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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.