Why would my Dr. suggest leaving a large seroma to be absorbed by the body, rather than draining it?

Question

I got a tummy tuck done out of the country and when I got home noticed my seroma had come back and had also grown. I went to the ER where they did a CT scan. They consulted a surgeon that told the ER Dr to leave it alone, my body would absorb it. Its the whole top part of the vaginal area and shoots up into my ab area (fairly large.) I know it needs to be drained, why are they taking such a huge risk with my well being by doing nothing?

Yily De Los Santos, MD · Answer

Some seromas absorb by their own and some have to be drained. The Dr. who saw you might have some reasons why he told you not to drain it but I would totally recommend you to go to a plastic surgeon to discuss your concern.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about the complication you have experienced. This must be especially anxiety provoking, given that you are not able to see your operating plastic surgeon. Online consultants will not be able to explain  the rationale behind what other physicians have recommended to you. Generally speaking, I do recommend drainage of fluid accumulations, so that it does not become a chronic problem potentially necessitating additional surgery. I would suggest that you seek consultation with board-certified plastic surgeons in your area. Best wishes.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Good question that can be only answered by the MD's that saw you.  I would find a surgeon in your area who will drain the seroma and get it treated.Dr. Corbin

Charles Virden, MD (retired) · Answer

I am a believer in not leaving a Seroma to resorb. It almost always results in a suboptimal result. Call a local plastic surgeon and ask to speak with the office manager. Arrange a fee schedule for you to come in and get this drained. Depending on size it could take several sessions. This is a sticky issue for you because you went abroad and now your surgeon is not accessible. Do it sooner rather than later, the cost to tap the Seroma will likely have been cheaper than the ER visit and the CAT scan. Good Luck.

Stuart B. Kincaid, MD, FACS (in memoriam) · Answer

There are several issues here that vary from patient to another. "Size of the Seroma" is relative and what actually seems "large" to you might well be absorbed over time If it is truly large then a sterile needle aspiration in a doctor's office might well be indicated followed by placement in an overlying compression garment to minimize recollection of fluid. Also you must be aware of liability issues for physicians as you indicated you went out of country for your procedure so you might want to consult with your original surgeon or seek out a local surgeon willing to take care of this not uncommon complication.Stuart Kincaid, MD, FACS

Why would my Dr. suggest leaving a large seroma to be absorbed by the body, rather than draining it?

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Why would my Dr. suggest leaving a large seroma to be absorbed by the body, rather than draining it?

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