I have a bulge and PS has no plan on what to do next - is this a pseudobursa? (photos)

Question

I had a full tummy tuck on 14 Jan ,19 no drains or tightening. Bad reaction to the anaesthesia & ended up vomiting violently and loosening my stitches which caused some blood loss. I developed a seroma which the PS has been draining twice a week for 6 weeks. I have had a bulge since bandage removal. PS said it was the seroma and swelling but now the bulge has hardened and it is uncomfortable. PS seems confused and has no answers or plan. My tummy looks worse than before the TT. Is this a PB?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello. Great question. Thank you for your pictures. I am sorry for your post op difficulties. However, a personal examination is needed to properly address your abdominal bulge. It may be swelling or fluid collection. Keep following up with your surgeon.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Seromas can be tricky.  Many have to be aspirated multiple times and still some will not heal.  Sometimes a drain is placed to continually drain the area and encourage the space to close.  If the seroma has a capsule form around it further surgery may be needed to remove it.

Marcus Davis, MBBS, MRM, FRCSEd (Plast) · Answer

Dear Moleborn,
Thank you for your question and pictures. You are now nearly three months post surgery and I would have expected serums to have settled by now, especially when they were drained so regularly in the initial period.
What you are describing and also upon looking at your pictures is, in my opinion, most probably a chronic seroma in that the body has encapsulated this so as to form, as you say, a pseudobursa. Whilst not common, it is a complication that can happen and is nothing to worry about.
My advice would be to request a scan of your abdomen to delineate things and, should the above diagnosis be confirmed then your PS will need to re-operated to excised this and quilt the tissues back down in order to get you healed and the results you wanted at the outset.
I wish you luck.
Marcus

I have a bulge and PS has no plan on what to do next - is this a pseudobursa? (photos)

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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

I have a bulge and PS has no plan on what to do next - is this a pseudobursa? (photos)

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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