I had a tummy tuck in Jan 2014, no drains. In Aug I noticed a 2"x4" lump left of my belly button. My doctor thought fat, then seroma; didn't appear concerned. Said he'd look when improving the scar (office procedure). Isn't it reasonable to assume a bursa has formed? Is it possible a seroma developed months later and correctable from aspiration instead of surgery? Would an ultrasound show if a bursa has formed? If a bursa, how quickly must I have surgery, immediately or within the next few months?
January 26, 2020
Answer: Is it possible for a seroma to develop 6-8 months after Tummy Tuck surgery, no drains? It is possible that you could have a late seroma 6 - 8 months following a drainless tummy tuck, but that would be rare for that point of your recovery. More likely scenarios are that this is a late hematoma that was either undiagnosed previously and has formed into scar tissue, or a recent trauma has caused a new hematoma near your belly button. Another possibility is that you have a small area of fat necrosis from a lack of blood supply to that area of the abdominal flap at the time of surgery. An ultrasound can be performed to determine if there is fluid present or the lump is completely solid throughout. If this is just scar tissue from any of the previously mentioned causes, it will likely continue to improve with scar massage up to 1 year postop. I would recommend following up with your plastic surgeon to express your concerns and allow for a thorough physical examination and further recommendations. Good communication between patient and surgeon is very important both before and after surgery. Best of luck in your recovery!
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
January 26, 2020
Answer: Is it possible for a seroma to develop 6-8 months after Tummy Tuck surgery, no drains? It is possible that you could have a late seroma 6 - 8 months following a drainless tummy tuck, but that would be rare for that point of your recovery. More likely scenarios are that this is a late hematoma that was either undiagnosed previously and has formed into scar tissue, or a recent trauma has caused a new hematoma near your belly button. Another possibility is that you have a small area of fat necrosis from a lack of blood supply to that area of the abdominal flap at the time of surgery. An ultrasound can be performed to determine if there is fluid present or the lump is completely solid throughout. If this is just scar tissue from any of the previously mentioned causes, it will likely continue to improve with scar massage up to 1 year postop. I would recommend following up with your plastic surgeon to express your concerns and allow for a thorough physical examination and further recommendations. Good communication between patient and surgeon is very important both before and after surgery. Best of luck in your recovery!
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
October 13, 2014
Answer: Seromas can develop months later and if this occurs, its necessary to try to figure out why this is happening. Ultrasounds will help determine if you do have fluid collections if there is any doubt. It will also help determine the extent of the seroma and if considerable and refractory to aspirations, an operation may be needed to remove the bursa.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
October 13, 2014
Answer: Seromas can develop months later and if this occurs, its necessary to try to figure out why this is happening. Ultrasounds will help determine if you do have fluid collections if there is any doubt. It will also help determine the extent of the seroma and if considerable and refractory to aspirations, an operation may be needed to remove the bursa.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
