Should I worry about this green/yellow fluid discharge after liposuction? (Photo)

Question

I received liposuction of the lower/upper abdomen and flanks. I took antibiotics the day before the surgery, the day of, and the day after. I was also given Arnika Forte. 2 days after, I noticed some small green/yellow fluid discharge from my incisions that has a slight odor to it. So far no fever. I called my surgeon and he said it's only serous fluid. Should I worry that it's an infection and not only serous fluid? The thing that concerns me is the slight odor.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

But do you really want to wait until you have fever, chills, and creamy pus rolling out of your incisions? Unless your surgeon examined your wounds and cultured your drainage, he's guessing as well.Serous drainage should have no odor, nor should it be green.I'd start you on Cipro immediately and see you the next morning. Green can be a sign of Pseudomonas infection, which may also have a "sickly sweet" type of odor. Why risk not treating what could be a serious infection ruining your results.Call your surgeon (again) and ask to be seen. Better safe than sorry (for both you AND your surgeon.) Even if it's really just serous drainage, I'd want to make that call in person, not over the phone.Best wishes, Dr. Tholen

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Drainage after liposuction usually ends within 24 hours. Drainage longer than this particularly if it is malodorous should be brought to the attention of your surgeon.

Robert Frank, MD · Answer

You're concerned, so make a quick trip in to see your doc. Worst case scenario, its serous fluid and your feel mildly paranoid. Or maybe worst case scenario would be you do have an infection and thankfully, get on antibiotics and it gets better. Either way, go make a visit. Good luck.

Jeremy Pyle, MD · Answer

I think it is really challenging to make the call over the internet without frame of reference. Postoperative infections tend to start 4-5 days after surgery and have symptoms that are both evident on exam and evident to the patient suffering them. One of the most common is increased pain. Because your procedure likely damaged some of the nerve endings, pain may be a less sensitive indicator.  That looks to be an exceptionally small amount of drainage and the tissue around the incision does not look to be swollen or bright red but if you were my patient I would want to have you in to have a look. Evidence of an actual infection would likely be readily visible on exam and a 30 second exam could either put you at ease or get you on an antibiotic to help your cause.Best,Dr. Pyle

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

An exam is needed to determine the reason you have fluid discharge.  This is not a time for guessing.  Contact your surgeon's office and insist on an appointment.  You may have an early infection.

Should I worry about this green/yellow fluid discharge after liposuction? (Photo)

Answers (5)