FTM top surgery right side is messed up, PS told me to come back in a few weeks. What should I do? (photos)

Question

I got periareolar top surgery on November 28th. I had drains for five days. I got them take out today. I didn’t notice anything wrong with the drains. My surgeron told me to come back in a few weeks and he would suction it out but till then he told me to wear a compression vest and heat it. Could this go away on its own? I was so excited for this surgery I am kind of upset this side messed up. It is bigger then when I had boobs. I hate waiting a few weeks to find out if it gets fixed.

Paul M. Steinwald, MD · Answer

That looks like a fluid collection (probably a hematoma if firmer, and was present at all when the drains were being removed, in that they are not that effective in preventing/draining that kind of thing, whereas I would suspect seroma if softer, and it showed up a few days later). Either way, even though the nipple looks to be adequately perfused (the good news), I'd be worried about skin stretching/asymmetry and/or longer-term firmness scarring if not decompressed sooner than later (may be possible with under local anesthesia at the bedside via an incisional opening, if soft enough). And bring your concerns to the attention of your surgeon, of course . . .

Anthony Deboni, MD · Answer

Thanks for your photo and question.  You look to have a hematoma/fluid collection.  In my opinion, it should be addressed ASAP with evacuation/removal of the fluid/blood.  It will unlikely resolve on its own, and could become more problematic as time goes on.  Best Regards.Dr. Deboni@drdeboni

Tracy Kayan, MD · Answer

Based on your photos and the bruising, it is likely you have a collection of blood or fluid on that side. The yellowing on top and the dark bruising underneath would be more suggestive of a hematoma. When a blood clot is occupying the space where your previous breast tissue was, there is more than one option. One would be to compress, wait and see how much of the blood is broken down and re-absorbed by your body. The other would be to wait for the blood clot to liquify and remove it with a needle in clinic. The other option would be to re-open the incision and remove the entire blood clot. There is no right or wrong answer, but these are all options, and it depends on how the conversation goes between you and your surgeon about how aggressively you want to treat this.

Babak Dadvand, MD · Answer

Hi rp_baller23,Thanks for the post and photos. The swelling is either a collection of blood (hematoma) or plasma (seroma). Given the size, I would recommend getting this treated sooner than later. A compression vest and heat will not likely lead to this getting better without a drainage procedure. Also the longer the fluid is in there the higher the chance that you will develop scar tissue that itself may need to be addressed. Good luck!Sincerely,Dr. Dadvand

Jacqueline Anne Luong, MD · Answer

Thanks for the inquiry. It appears you have a hematoma or seroma which is a possible complication after any surgery. As you are aware, this requires drainage and sometimes replacement of the drain. Keep in touch with your plastic surgeon as I am sure he/she will be able to resolve this issue.
Dr. Luong

FTM top surgery right side is messed up, PS told me to come back in a few weeks. What should I do? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Post-op Swelling

Answer: Post-op Swelling

Answer: Complications after top surgery

Answer: Complications after top surgery

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Masculinizing Top Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

FTM top surgery right side is messed up, PS told me to come back in a few weeks. What should I do? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Post-op Swelling

Answer: Post-op Swelling

Answer: Complications after top surgery

Answer: Complications after top surgery

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Masculinizing Top Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.