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Pus Draining After Liposuction?

I had liposuction done 8 weeks ago and have had pus draining from one of the cannula entrance sites. I saw my surgeon and he is treating it with antibiotics and I am packing it daily with iodoform gauze. The pus is no longer present but the tiny opening is still deep into my belly. The area is located just above my pubic hairline. Something has been said about a tract? Will this close up over time or require surgery?

Doctor Answers 7

Drainage at 8 Weeks Following Liposuction

March 4th, 2013
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    Infection from liposuction occurs rarely and should be followed closely by your plastic surgeon.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Web reference: http://www.hughesplasticsurgery.com/Liposuction.php

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD


Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 439 reviews

Post Liposuction Infection

February 7th, 2013
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Thank you for your question. This area is a high risk for abscess due to the production of sebum in the hair follicle.  It may take 6-8months for complete healing. Be certain to get re-evaluated and stay under the supervision of a board certified plastic surgeon for best results.  I hope this helps.

Vivek Bansal, MD

Vivek Bansal, MD
Danville Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 22 reviews

Liposuction infection

October 2nd, 2012
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Infection following liposuction is rare in our practice. Assuming that your surgeon is a board certified plastic surgeon, continue to follow hie or her instructions. 

Web reference: Http://www.georgiaplastic.com

Stanley Okoro, MD

Stanley Okoro, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 137 reviews

Infection after liposuctiion

September 30th, 2012
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Infections following liposuction are very rare.  If you have continued drainage, fevers And redness spreading away from the incision site, you should be seen as soon as possible.  Antibiotics should help this resolve, but you may need more aggressive intervention.  Make sure your surgeon is aware of your situation and is addressing it. 

Todd C. Case, MD

Todd C. Case, MD
Tucson Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 53 reviews

Keep doing as your surgeon

September 27th, 2012
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recommends.  It is unusual to have infections after liposuction, and it is a long hole for the cannula, so it will take some time to heal.  The amount of gauze you pack should be getting smaller as the time passes, so that is one way to see if things are progressing.  Good luck!

Eleanor J. Barone, MD

Eleanor J. Barone, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 4 reviews

Infection with liposuction

September 25th, 2012
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An infection after liposuction is extremely rare.  I would follow closely with your surgeon to make sure things are healing well.  Good luck.

Steven Wallach, MD

Steven Wallach, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.1 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

Infection after liposuction

September 24th, 2012
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Infection after liposuction is extremely rare, but does occur. Most are easily treated with antibiotics. If the drainage continues there may be an opening or a tract that remains.. As long as the skin opening remains open by packing, the tract should slowly close by itself. Continue checkup with your surgeon to make sure the tract is closing properly.

Shahriar Mabourakh, MD, FACS

Shahriar Mabourakh, MD, FACS
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 170 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.