Seroma cavity? Leaking pus filled area after tummy tuck. (photo)

Question

Hi. I posted this week and got great answers. Thx. This week my seroma cavity 'punctured' and out came a huge huge mass of green pus. The doctor said in retrospect it was a cavity and opened up the wound, cut a new piece of skin off, filled it with gauze and sent me home for a week. No antibiotics. No pain killers. I'm dying of pain. So sick of this.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question and photos.  It does appear more as an abscess vs a seroma cavity.  Incision & drainage of the abscess as well as local wound care/packing are certainly appropriate treatments.  Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon for an evaluation (to rule out worsening infection as cause for your pain).  Discuss your pain issues as well and hopefully this will resolve soon for you.  Best wishes!

Luis Macias, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm sorry that you are going through this.  I understand that it can be frustrating and difficult to deal with, but it will all heal with time and the resulting scar can be revised in a few months.  I sounds like you doctor has treated your infection appropriately by opening the wound so that you can pack it and it can heal from the inside out.  Antibiotics are not usually necessary after an abscess is drained. Call your doctor and tell him/her that you are experiencing pain and ask for their recommendation.  Hope this helps.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

is a better more accurate term to describe what you had but you are having standard treatment and antibiotics are not required with the wound opened.  It will heal much nicer than you can imagine and the pains should improve as your inflammation resolves.  But since your surgeon is aware of this, you should keep your surgeon informed of any changes or worsening.  If the pain persists, talk to your doctor about pain medicine.

Seroma cavity? Leaking pus filled area after tummy tuck. (photo)

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Seroma cavity? Leaking pus filled area after tummy tuck. (photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.