7 weeks post op...seroma after tummy tuck? (photo)

Thanks for your question -The firm mass you have is unlikely to be a seroma it is more likely fat necrosis.  You should absolutely continue to have close follow-up with your plastic surgeon to manage both the seroma and this area of firmness.

You should be seen ASAP, the redness that is apparent appears to be infected.  You may have an infected hematoma, since you feel a very hard mass with fluid around it.  Best to be seen and evaluated immediately. Good luck!

From your photographs and your history, it would appear that
you may have a seroma.  The redness that has
been marked out indicate that there may be inflammation there, which could lead
to infection of the seroma fluid.  The
seroma cavity may be loculated (have inner chambers) that may make draining the
fluid completely difficult to do in the office.  In general, if a loculated seroma does not respond to serial aspirations
in the office, it may need to be removed by reopening the incision and cleaning
it out.  I would recommend that you speak
with your plastic surgeon about the possibility of excising the seroma cavity
in the operating room if serial aspiration does not solve the problem.

Best to obtain a scan to see the volume/size of the fluid collection in the tissue of your tummy tuck... 

Hello,Redness, pain, and swelling may indicate infection.  Worsening symptoms should lead you and your plastic surgeon to do something different such as start antibiotics or open up part of the incision.  If conservative treatment does not take care of the issue opening up part of the incision to both diagnose and treat the issue may be the best course of action.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta

Thank you for the photos. Your seroma may be becoming infected and should be drained and a drain left in and the fluid cultured. I would get back to my surgeon so he can acess the situation.

Dr. Crobin

I'm sorry to hear you are experiencing a wound healing issue. It is important you remain communicative with your surgeon over these issues. It is difficult to give you concrete advise without knowing more about symptoms you're having or your history. In general, if you were my patient I would monitor you for low grade infection and possibly a blood draw to check your WBC (white blood cells). If I suspected infection I would put you on a course of antibiotics. If I could aspirate fluid I would and send that to be tested as well. Most likely this will resolve without difficulty and not affect your long term result.

As you can see from the answers there is a mystery about exactly what is going on with you.    Lets try to simplify it.   You have alarming redness and swelling and infection must be a strong consideration.  This must be ruled out.  Do you have a fever?  Have you had a WBC (white blood cell count)?  If the swelling cannot be aspirated there may be wisdom in going back to surgery and opening this area.    I feel a culture of the fluid must be done.   You then need to be on appropriate antibiotics if an infection is established.   All of this and more is pertinent.   In summary you have an alarming pattern of problems that should not be present at 7 weeks.   You can see that all doctors answering your inquiry have a similar concern.   I suggest you return to your surgeon and have a sit down conference and plan a strategy to get this issue solved.   It is certainly solvable but nevertheless concerning.   My Best,  Dr C

I agree that you should see her plastic surgeon.  The pinkness may be caused by the seroma and is not necessarily an infection, but this must be checked.It is unfortunate that your surgeon was unable to drain the seroma with a needle.  I would suggest he try again because the fluid must be removed.If the seroma persists much longer it may develop a seroma cavity which may need to be removed surgically.