What Are the Symptoms of Seroma?

Seroma is a fluid collection that accumulates in the surgical site after surgery.  It take a long time to resolve on its own and often your surgeon will try to aspirate it with a needle or place a drain.

Seroma is a fluid collection that fills a cavity created by the surgery.  Over time, if not releases, as the seroma fluid builds this collection can become almost rock hard.  However, initially it is soft, feels like a compressible water-filled bag.  It should not fluctuate over time of the day.  If you notice that it become very 'tight' sometimes during the day, you are most likely feeling bloating and constipation.

Sincerely,

Martin Jugenburg, MD

Not exactly sure how long you have been experiencing these symptoms and when these syptoms began relative to your procedure. However, a seroma is a fluid collection that presents as a fluid wave. Sometimes depending on the size, you can hear fluid swishing around. Typically, it is located in the lower abdomen, but occasionally in the area above the belly button. The treatment is to place a needle and remove the fluid and apply compression. Occasionally a drain may need to be placed. Sometimes another operation to remove the cavity needs to be performed but is typically rare. On the other hand, the bloating  and  burning sensation can be common as normal recovery from your procedure. Therefore, if I knew how long ago your procedure was, it could help me guide you a bit better. In any event, you should revisit with your plastic surgeon. An in person examination will help answer your questions. Good Luck.Dr Ravi Somayazula

What you are describing COULD be a seroma but better to see your surgeon of record for this issue ASAP! Over the internet very hard to give definitive diagnosis. 

A seroma is a collection of fluid that occurs between the skin and fat and the underlying muscle layer in a tummy tuck. Early on, it can be seen as an increasing protrusion that shifts with the position of the body - creating a fluid wave. It is typically soft and usually is situation at the lower part of the abdomen. Without aspirating it or inserting a drain, this will often persist and become a chronic presence.

There is normal swelling following a tummy tuck where you can experience firmness of the tissues. This can also fluctuate from day to day and even throughout the day. A burning sensation commonly occurs with tummy tucks (and other surgical procedures).

You should inform your surgeon of your symptoms and concerns and he/she can then provide you with a precise answer of your situation.

Your symptoms are very non specific and do not point to a seroma but that said you could have one since you have had an abdominoplasty.  Seromas commonly are assymptomatic (no symptoms) .  An exam by your surgeon will help sort out if you have a seroma.  Get this looked at as soon as possible.  Good luck.