Is there anything i can do to stop the formation of a seroma post op?

There may be some things you can do to help reduce the chances that you will get a seroma. If you have a drain placed at the time of surgery be careful not to let it get pulled out! Careful with the kids and the dog!!! Also taking it easy helps in the first few weeks to let your tissues begin to heal in and "stick together"! Binders are kind of plus/minus in my opinion. they make logical sense but may not statistically!!!!

    Drains and compression garments have been used for a long time in plastic surgery and are still used by many plastic surgeons.  After doing hundreds and hundreds of tummy tucks each year, I have not found the need to aspirate seromas with these two measures.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

There are several techniques which help to decrease your risk of seroma formation post operatively. The placement of drains and the use of quilting sutures have been shown to decrease seroma formation. Compression garments may also help prevent the fluid build up after tummy tuck.

Seromas do occur sometimes after tummy tucks. They are usually easily treatable and dont cause long term problems, but can be annoying. They are probably more common in heavier patients. Using drains and quilting sutures help reduce the risk. Compression garments and taking it easy the first few weeks also probably help to decrease the risk. Best of luck.

Most of the prevention interventions are things that your surgeon would do, including placement of drains, or use of quilting sutures. Discuss these with your surgeon. Best wishes on your upcoming procedure. 

Seroma formation is one of the most common complications of abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck).  While all plastic surgeons are not in agreement about the cause of seromas,  it is our opinion that this fluid collection is due to movement of the healing tissues causing disruption of early healing , inflammation of fluid collect.  This is a preventable complication, by use of Progressive Tension suture, which is an innovation of our practice. (similar to "quilting sutures"....)       We published our most recent series of nearly 700 abdominoplasties in the  Aesthetic Surgry Journal using progressive tension sutures and NO drains,  with an incidence of less than 1% (1 case) of seroma formation.  Many of our colleagues have adopted this technique .....see a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons.