Hello, today I went in for a appointment with my surgeon I was seen for swelling on my stomach after tummy tuck. It has been 6 weeks since my surgery and I am experiencing swelling the Dr clearly told me I do not have seroma (fluid collection under the skin) he said I have Edema witch is fluid collection under my muscle ? He said to not worry about it and that it will go away with time. Should I be concerned ? Is this normal ? Would it go away ?
August 10, 2017
Answer: Seroma vs Edema You are confused by the terms you are hearing. When we do a TT the skin and fat areraised off the muscle, pulled down and cut off. There are raw surfaces exposed that ooze just like a rug burn does into the space between the muscle and the flap. This is what you saw in your drains right after surgery. Once the drains are removed if this fluid builds up under the flap we call it a seroma. Edema, on the other hand, is fluid inside the tissues around the cells. This is the response to the trauma of surgery or any sort of injury. That cannot be aspirated. It will last for months and eventually disappear. It always seems to be in the lower abdomen that it is the greatest perhaps because of gravity and the disturbed lymphatics. Lymphatic massage is a gentle technique that helps open the lymphatics that drain away the fluid from within the tissues. I have patients do this about a week after surgery to get things moving. You might try a session or two or you can wait. It will, as your surgeon said, go away with time and i completely normal. I tell my patients that it will be one and a half to two years before they see the absolute final result of the TT. Patience and time will show you what looks like is going to be a great result.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
August 10, 2017
Answer: Seroma vs Edema You are confused by the terms you are hearing. When we do a TT the skin and fat areraised off the muscle, pulled down and cut off. There are raw surfaces exposed that ooze just like a rug burn does into the space between the muscle and the flap. This is what you saw in your drains right after surgery. Once the drains are removed if this fluid builds up under the flap we call it a seroma. Edema, on the other hand, is fluid inside the tissues around the cells. This is the response to the trauma of surgery or any sort of injury. That cannot be aspirated. It will last for months and eventually disappear. It always seems to be in the lower abdomen that it is the greatest perhaps because of gravity and the disturbed lymphatics. Lymphatic massage is a gentle technique that helps open the lymphatics that drain away the fluid from within the tissues. I have patients do this about a week after surgery to get things moving. You might try a session or two or you can wait. It will, as your surgeon said, go away with time and i completely normal. I tell my patients that it will be one and a half to two years before they see the absolute final result of the TT. Patience and time will show you what looks like is going to be a great result.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
