Getting a Seroma Drained by Someone Other Than my Plastic Surgeon?

Hello,

Thank you for the question.  It is sometimes difficult to get these issues addressed when surgery is performed elsewhere but it is doable.  You will want to meet with a plastic surgeon and agree on a price to have him or his/her nurse assess you for a seroma and drain the seroma every few days until it no longer collects.

All the best,

Dr Remus Repta

This is a common problem presented to this website. It would not surprise me if you have some trouble finding a surgeon. Your primary physician can assist in finding someone if need be. 

From a surgeon's point of view, medicare and other carriers occasionally will divide the fees between operative and post-operative care. 80 % is allotted to pre-op and operative care, and 20% to post-op care. I find it reasonable to charge a fee equal to 20% of my professional fee to take on a post-op patient of another surgeon. I find that to be quite reasonable in that I would be only be seeing someone with a complication and therefore a more complex postop course is assured. That fee would include aspirations and drain placement, but not anything requiring a trip to the operating room.

If emergency room fees in NJ are like those here, that would be a choice of desperation only. Best wishes. 

I sympathize with your situation.  Your circumstances reveal one (fortunately not too serious) example of what may happen if a patient chooses to leave the US for a less-expensive alternative for surgery.  Board Certified plastic surgeons have not only a legal but an intense professional commitment to being available to assist in the postoperative care of their patients upon whom they perform surgery.  Human nature being what it is, you can imagine why a surgeon in your community might not be eager to provide assistance now while another surgeon elsewhere received payment for your procedure.

      Having said that, you may be able to persuade a caring surgeon nearby to help you out.  I'd call their offices, explain the situation, see if they'd agree to see you and perhaps get an idea on the cost for the first aspiration.  (As you know, it is very common for seromas to need repeated aspiration to resolve).  Then keep your fingers crossed that things resolve easily and quickly and that you don't encounter further setbacks that could leave you in even more desparate circumstances.  Hopefully, you'll easily find someone who will help.  Good luck!