Tummy tuck seroma won't go away?

I am sorry to hear of the problems you are having with recurrent seromasfollowing tummy tuck surgery.Seromas usually first appear in the first weeks after surgery. All patients develop fluid in their wounds in the first few days after a tummy tuck. Leaving the drains in until they have stopped draining in usually sufficient to prevent a seroma developing.Some patients develop a delayed seroma when they have had an unrecognised bleed into their wound, and the "seroma fluid" is just the haematoma breaking down into a more fluid state. Other seromas can be caused by damage to lymphatic channels, which can sometimes persist for weeks. Finally, infection can cause a reactive production of fluid (although it usually isn't clear or straw-coloured like a traditional seroma). If there is any mesh in your abdomen, infection could be a concern.The key thing is to make sure your plastic surgeon is aware of the problem and is sorting it out. If you have already had drains placed and the seroma has still come back, unfortunately, your plastic surgeon may be considering opening things up again, washing it all out and putting in some large bore drains - then leaving them in until they stop draining.Good luck with your treatment.

Thank you for your question.It is very important that you follow the advice and make frequent visits with the plastic surgeon who performed your tummy tuck. It sounds as though the surgeon is managing you properly with expertise.Seromas that last a long time, certainly over 6 weeks or more in some cases will form a membrane around the seroma called a seroma cavity. In some cases if the seroma cavity is palpable or creates a bump a minor second surgical procedure can be done to remove the cavity.However you must be patient and hopefully you will not need this.