Is this a seroma? Do I need to get t drained immediately ? (photo)

Question

I had a tt and lipo in the DR, I was doing great until the drain came out. I had a lot of skin and fat removed and was still draining 50 to 75ml a day on day 33. My doc said I could take it out because my skins was growing around my drain hole. Now I have fluid all over my tummy. The too and bottom. There is now pain. I don't know of my primary doc will help and I will have to come out of pocket. More importantly I don't want to get an infection. Will my body absorb the fluid.

Kurtis Martin, MD · Answer

It is definitely a seroma following a tummy tuck. You should have it drained by  a plastic surgeon. Leaving a seroma in long term without drainage can cause significant scarring.

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

You do appear to have a seroma. It may get larger with time. It will require drainage and long standing serums sometimes require surgery to correct. Seromas can become infected, but most do not. If you develop fever, chills and/or redness on your incision and abdominal skin, you will need to have it seen urgently either by a plastic surgeon or in an emergency room. If you are not infected, you will still need to find a plastic surgeon who will be willing to help you. In your type of situation, American doctors who have cared for patients who had surgeries overseas get sued by the patient for the bad outcome because they have no recourse to sue the foreign surgeon who actually caused the problem. That is why many surgeons are reluctant to care for the immediate complications of other surgeons due to issues with liability.

Christian Subbio, MD · Answer

It's hard to tell without examining you in person.  Certainly that lump could be a seroma.  Without being able to examine you, I cannot tell for sure if it is seroma, blood, residual fat, muscle bulge, etc.  You will need to follow up with a board certified plastic surgeon.  A primary doctor will not know how to assess and treat this.  There will be out-of-pocket costs.Best of luck!Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Keshav Magge, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  This does appear to be a seroma based on the photos, but it is hard to tell without an in person exam. You will likely need it drained.   I would recommend trying to find a board certified plastic surgeon who would treat you.  Unfortunately this is the downside of medical tourism.  If nothing goes wrong, you may have gotten a deal.  But if the surgeon is not a board certified plastic surgeon, you do not know their training and credentialing, and if there is a complication the costs may add up since you have to find a surgeon close to you to help deal with them.  All the best,

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

This looks lok a seroma and it should be drained. Symptoms of seroma include swelling and pressure. If not treated the the wound could leak! See your doctor for aspiration or drainage catheter. Best, Dr. Aldo

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

Seromas (collection of fluid under the skin) after tummy tucks are not very common, but it appears that you may indeed have a seroma.You will need to find a plastic surgeon in your area to help with this issue.Sometimes serial aspirations of seromas can effectively treat them, and sometimes a drain will need to be replaced. Definitely set up an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon soon. Thanks for sharing.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

You have seroma. It needs to be treated.  Body will not absorb this much fluid. Call your doctor and make arrangements for aspiration.

Erika Sato, MD, FACS · Answer

This is why we recommend not to travel so far for plastic surgery. Your primary care doctor probably has no experience with draining a seroma from a tummy tuck. Your body can absorb

Daniel Krochmal, MD, FACS · Answer

It is usually difficult to tell if somebody has a seroma based solely on pictures, but in your case, it does appear as though you have a large seroma.  I would return to your plastic surgeon for management.  They may want to put in another drain (seromacath).Best of luck!

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Yes it look like a large seroma. I will recommend to see your PS for possible drainage

Is this a seroma? Do I need to get t drained immediately ? (photo)

Answers (14)

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