Could This Be a Seroma? (photo)

         It’s not unusual for
patients to develop seromas when drains are removed prematurely. Your picture
suggests fullness in your upper abdomen which is characterized by a rounding
which suggests a fluid collection. If this fluid is under tension it would not
be expected to have a fluid wave.

 

         Confirmation of this
diagnosis can be made with an ultrasound or a diagnostic aspiration. Seromas
should be drained to avoid long term complications. In most cases, compression
garments should be used to avoid recurrence. It’s important that you contact
your surgeon as soon as possible to avoid secondary complications. 

A good way to assess that would be to start with an ultrasound.  it looks like fluid that would be easily treated with needle aspiration.  I recommend waiting until your surgeon returns but notifing the office of the situation. 

Yes it looks like a seroma. it is not an emergency but return to your surgeon when he gets back to town. He will be able to aspirate it with a needle. Not to worry.

Thank you very much for your question and your pictures.  Based on the information you provided and your pictures, my assumption is that you are correct.  This certainly looks like a seroma.  Your team of consultants from Real Self pretty much agree that your doctor probably has another plastic surgeon on call while he or she is out of town.  I recommend you make an appointment asap to see this plastic surgeon and deflate this seroma before it becomes chronic. 

Swelling can be very normal 13 days following a tummy-tuck, especially if accompanied by liposuction. Compression is helpful. Close follow-up with physical examination with your Plastic Surgeon is essential to make sure that it is nothing more serious such as a seroma or hematoma. If you doctor is out of town, ask to be seen by the nurseing staff or the doctor on call. Best of luck.

Dr. Lyos

Houston, Texas