Swelling VS Seroma. Not sure what to do. Should I just wait it out?

It's possible that the #swelling you are experiencing is due to a collection of fluid. If you have concerns about your #healing, or pain that you question to be unusual, it is important to call your plastic surgeon to discuss these further asked to be examined.Your #healing will continue for 2-3 months for the early period. This includes some swelling, bruising, malposition, color differences. The purpose of the post-procedure #garment is to provide some gentle #support and to reduce swelling following a #TummyTuck or #Abdominoplasty. If it feels too tight or causes pain, take it off. Patients wear the #elastic garment for several weeks after surgery, as directed by their doctor. Some choose to wear it longer for several months for comfort.

Thank you for your question.Yes, I recommend that you follow your plastic surgeon's instructions for tummy tuck recovery.In general, I do not perform drainless tummy tuck. In my experience, the risk of accumulating fluid is too high...in my opinion.I hope this helps.

Smaller seromas can be left undrained because your body will absorb them over time. Best to wear a compression garment to help with the swelling and closely follow up with your operating surgeon if you notice any changes (i.e redness, increase in fluid, etc.). Best of luck for great results!

Little amounts of fluid will be absorbed buy the body but any larger amount could increase the risk of infection. It is usually recommended to wear compression after a tummy tuck for at least 6 weeks which does lower the risk of seromas. 

I like to be quite aggressive about this and if I have any thought that there may be a seroma, I prefer to drain it in the office. I have my patients come back about every three days for drainage until no free fluid can be identified. This is usually not traumatic for the patient since the drainage area is usually completely numb.

If the fluid is really a wave like you describe, this is a seroma.  I would probably drain it in the office but if the seroma is small enough, it is certainly OK to allow it to absorb on its own.

Hello, a proper assessment would be required to tell if you have a significant fluid collection or mostly swelling, so unfortunately it is difficult to provide meaningful advice.   If you are concerned about your current management plan I would suggest discussing this with your PS and perhaps they may arrange sooner followup.

You have just described a clear case of seroma.  Personally, I prefer aspirating seromas.  However approach varies among surgeons.  Your call. 

 I am sorry to hear about your concerns after tummy tuck surgery. As always, it is best to be seen in person ( by your plastic surgeon) for precise diagnosis and treatment. Given your concerns, you will likely be best off seeking earlier than already scheduled follow-up. Generally speaking, abdominal wall "swelling" after tummy tuck may be related to:
1. Swelling in the soft tissues. This may take several months to resolve and may worsen with increased activity or at the end of the day. Patience is required to allow for resolution of the swelling. The swelling occurs because of the interruption of venous and lymphatic channels that occurs during the tummy tuck operation.
2. Fluid accumulation in the space between the skin and the abdominal wall muscle. this may consist of blood ( hematoma) or serum (seroma). This fluid accumulation can generally be diagnosed by physical examination ( occasionally ultrasound may be helpful). Treatment consists of aspiration; several episodes of aspiration may be necessary.
3. Separation of the abdominal wall muscle repair may lead to a swelling/bulge appearance. This may be diagnosed on physical examination with your surgeon examining you in different bodily positions. One of the steps of a tummy tuck procedure involves reapproximation (plication) of the rectus muscles. These muscles have spread apart during pregnancy and/or weight gain. Bringing them together again in the midline helps to “tighten” the abdominal wall as well as to narrow the waistline.
4. Residual adipose tissue may be confused for swelling. Again this is most easily diagnosed by physical examination. Additional liposuction surgery maybe necessary to improve the results of surgery.
Generally, it takes many months for swelling to resolve after tummy tuck surgery and it may take up to one year (or greater) for complete skin redraping to occur.
I hope this helps.

Although there is no substitute for a clinical examination, seroma formation is fairly common following tummy tuck surgery.  If ultrasounds were performed on every patient following tummy tuck, the majority will in fact have a seroma present.  Most of these seromas are small and may not be clinically apparent.  Seromas may be resorbed by your body and generally do not require treatment unless large, symptomatic, or concerns arise regarding superimposed infection.  I recommend following your plastic surgeon's post-operative instructions regarding incision care, binder, and activity restrictions.  If the fluid collection increases in size, new symptoms develop, or you have any concerns regarding infection (redness, pain, malodorous drainage, or constitutional symptoms, such as fevers or chills), I recommend scheduling urgent reassessment with your surgeon.Best, Stephanie Power MD, MSc, FRCSC