A seroma after 7 weeks post op of a tummy tuck. Should I be concerned? How long does a seroma last?

Question

My surgery was on July 10 and everything was going great I had my surgery done in Dominican Republic and during my time there I had my drainage for 21 days and I wasn't swollen at all once I cane home august 2 a week later I started to notice a huge red ball which was hard n my whole belly was swollen , I went to the hospital and was told I have a seroma the docs cut my open about 3in long n drained some fluid out, I'm still very swollen all day long I see very lil difference.

Chad Douglas Tattini, MD · Answer

Questions like this are always best evaluated by your existing plastic surgeon. If you can't see him/her, it may be difficult to find a board certified plastic surgeon who would see you but fees will likely be incurred. Seromas can get infected or become chronic both of which require medical attention.

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Hello! This is the problem after surgery out of the country - it's difficult to get routine postoperative care. In my area. plastic surgeons may offer to charge a flat fee to deal with complications like seromas from surgery performed out of the country. This is beyond ER visits which many do. You certainly need to be seen urgently. I would recommend you check plasticsurgery.org to find a board certified plastic surgeon near you and see if she/he will be able to help you.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Seroma is a serious complication of tummy tuck and that's why you should not travel out of the country for a procedure like this.... At this point, you need to find a plastic surgeon in NY that is willing to take care of you and your complications. In addition, infection with atypical bacteria must be considered. These types of infection are not common in the US, but have been reported out of the Dominican on several occasions. They can require up to 6 months of antibiotics to clear up. If you cannot find a surgeon to take care of you in the community, then consider a teaching hospital or present yourself to the ED and ask to see a plastic surgeon.Best wishes, Dr. ALDO

Evan Sorokin, MD · Answer

The problem with surgery in another country is that while it is less expensive there is little follow up when ladies have problems.  An abdominoplasty is a big operation and often follow up treatment is needed to get you through the recovery.  Recent reports of horrible deaths from infections from infections in the NY area are extremely scary!  Who knows what was done down there with little regulation or oversight? I would tell you that you need a local surgeon so best to call around and find someone to see you.  Many local surgeons may refuse to see you as they don't know what was done and don't want to take on the liability of your care when they didn't do the surgery.  In this case you can always go to the ER at the local university hospital which has a plastic surgery teaching program as then at least you are going to get seen and helped.  Just an idea, but one that is often helpful.  Good luck!

Marc J. Salzman, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question. Your description sounds like a fluid collection that is called a seroma. Whether or not it is infected makes a big difference. Long-standing seroma left intact and produce what's called a pseudo-bursa which is a scar surrounding the fluid. This usually necessitates a second surgery has large or larger than the first in order to correct it. You need to find a plastic surgeon in your hometown willing to take on someone else's complication. Herein lies the danger in traveling out of the country for plastic surgery. Most plastic surgeons will not want to be dragged into a potential lawsuit when they had nothing to do with the procedure in the first place. That's just the way it is in the United States given our legal system today. Hope that's helpful.

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