Is draining fluid from my lower back 16 times after Vaser normal? It's been 3 months since Vaser, breast implants and mini TT.

Thank you for your question. If your surgeon did VASER sculpting, the lower back is notorious for prolonged drainage. There are two types of surgeons: one who places a drain and one who doesn't. I personally like a drain in the lower back (easier for the patient, not messy and don't have to be stuck repeatedly to remove the seroma). I also use foam compression inside the compression garment in the lower back. The numbness, tingling and swelling can last 4-6 months, occasionally longer. I use Gabapentin for my patients postop to minimize the tingling, shooting pains and burning sensation that happens during the early healing.It is not "normal" to have to have a seroma drained even at 3 months out. A drain should've been placed long time ago. Once you develop a seroma pocket, the skin will not stick or scar down.Good luck with your healing.

Swelling post-lipo can persist for months, so it's important to be on the right after care protocols. I recommend following up with your physician about their suggested after care protocol. I have my patients wear compression for 3 to 6 weeks straight then overnight for 3-6 months after their procedure. I suggest adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression to help decrease swelling. To improve your final results, I also recommend adding Vanquish for further fat removal; truSculpt iD, Exilis, Forma, and Venus Legacy for additional skin tightening; and Cellutone / ZWave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance.
It will take 6 to 12 months to see the final outcome. Ultimately, if you are unhappy with your results, please speak to your physician and ensure that he/she was a full body VASER Hi-Definition liposuction physician with extensive experience in contouring and body shaping -- and not just traditional fat reduction. You can always get a revision procedure by an expert if needed. Best, Dr. Emer

Drainage is should be performed early on following VASER aggressively. Rarely, patients may need drainage past the initial two weeks. If you are having persistent drainage, you may want to consider increasing the protein in your diet,, wearing compression garments, and maybe a short term course of antibiotics.

The use of VASER has a known increased risk for the development of fluid buildup so called seromas. The best way to treat these are frequent aspirations. The more frequent the better. Ideally on a daily or every other day basis.  If you let a fluid pocket build up in the surfaces are not touching each other in the pocket will not close.  The key is to love the surfaces to have contact with each other like a deflated bag.  If the pocket stays open for a long period of time a membrane will form called a capsule.  Once this happens the surface is no longer stick together even if in direct contact.  At three months there's a good chance your fluid collection has encapsulated.  The treatment for that is usually surgical excision of the capsule with the placement of a drain.  One treatment option is to place a drain now and see if the surfaces will stick together enough that the fluid output stops.  Placing a drain can be difficult unless someone is doing open surgery. Interventional radiologist are really good at doing this from the skin surface.  You may want to ask your plastic surgeon if he or she can refer you to an interventional radiology just to have a drain placed.  Changes in skin sensation are common and usually take a few months to go away. This should improve with more time.  Best, Mats Hagstrom MD 

Hi and welcome to our forum!
I'm sorry to hear of your
difficulties following your Vaser liposuction. A seroma is a collection of tissue
fluid accumulating at the operative site. It is caused by injury to the soft
tissues. When blood vessels and lymphatics get damaged through the normal
course of the operative procedure, the body mounts an inflammatory response,
resulting in the production of clear fluid. Normally, the body absorbs this
fluid, but, if excessive, it will accumulate and create a seroma.
Small seromas will naturally
resorb, but larger seromas require drainage. Serial needle aspirations may be
required. Over time the amount of drainage should decrease with each aspiration.  If repeated aspirations fail to control the seroma, a drain is placed
and is usually left in place until the drainage subsides. If the seroma
persists for more than several months, sclerosing solutions (we employ
doxycycline) can be introduced through the drain to create scar which will
retard fluid accumulation. In unusual instances, surgical excision of the
tissue making up the walls of the seroma is required. Closing the resulting
defect with a quilt like technique appears to be of benefit.
Continue close followup with your
plastic surgeon.
Best
wishes...