Seroma Pocket / Swelling - Will I need a mini Tummy Tuck or can Liposuction fix it? (photos)

Thank you for your question.
Based on your photos, you may warrant a revision of your abdominoplasty. While liposuction will be able to remove the excess fat from the area, you will be left with excess loose skin. The abdominoplasty will be able to excise the excess tissue and leave you with a flat contour to the abdomen. However, if this area is a recurring seroma, you will likely need it to be removed or drained. I recommend speaking with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options and concerns.

Hello @Affectionate123893, thank you for your question and showing your pictures. It may be a scarring consequence of the seroma because the skin looks tight when you are standing upright. In this case, an ultrasound can be performed to determine how the area is internally. If you would like more information and options, I would recommend consulting one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD FACS

Thank you for your question about recovery from a tummy tuck.

For specific questions like this and about your recovery in general, it is best to speak directly with your doctor or doctor’s representative – such as his or her nurse, or the physician on call for the practice.

You will likely get many differing opinions from members of the RealSelf Community, but they have not personally seen or examined you. Nobody should know you or your unique set of circumstances better than your doctor. If you feel you are not being listened to or you are doubting your doctor’s recommendations, then it is certainly within your rights to seek a second opinion and get the advice from another board certified physician. This should be done through an in-person consultation with a thorough evaluation, including a review of your history, review of all prior treatment and with a physical examination.

Obviously, if you think that you are having a medical emergency or other serious problem, you should call 911 and/or go to your nearest emergency room.

Best Wishes.

It seems like a scar revision would be able to redo the scar for a more symmetrical placement, remove the seroma cavity if one is present, and remove some excess skin.

Dear Affectionate123893,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs. It appears that you will need a surgical revision to correct the lower abdominal bulge and you may wish to consider variations to maximize the appearance, at the tradeoff of an additional scar. Seek out second opinions in your area for the best advice.

An ultrasound is needed to determine the nature of the bulge that concerns you. If the seroma is still present it will first need to be addressed. If the bulge is fat then some localized liposuction should improve the result. I encourage you to return to your surgeon's office for an evaluation.

This is a great question. There are several treatment options for a seroma. Aspiration or draining the fluid with a needle and compression is usually the first step. After this, we may recommend a drain placement by a radiologist who can then inject medications into the drain to help the seroma scar down. However, if the seroma has been there for a while, your body likely developed a capsule around it. If this does not work, surgery to remove the fluid and capsule is usually needed.
Its best to be evaluated by a board certified plastic surgeon to assess the area and review treatment options. Hope this helps!

An examination is needed and possible ultrasound to see if a fluid cavity is present or just fat. If the cavity is present, the lower tuck will need to be redone to remove it. If it is just residual fat, then liposuction can be done.

Based on the nicely posted photos and your post op history I recommend immediate ultrasound examination of lower abdomen to see if there is in fact a seroma pocket with or w/o fluid? Then I would operate doing re opening complete TT incision with expert dissection of the seroma pocket, injection of Tetracycline mixture, re draining areas with drain. Then layered closure with firm compression. Fee $8,000. Best to virtual consult with...