Is this a seroma? Should I worry? (photos)

According to your description of the problem, it is possible that you may have a seroma. It would be best to call and make an appointment with your Doctor. He may need to aspirate or replace the drain.Usually I remove the drains when drainage is less than 30cc for 48 hours.

Yes, you have a seroma. You need to see your surgeon. Let's hope they are in the same country/ state/ city as you are.
Seromas are a common but annoying complication of abdominoplasty, provided they do not become infected.
Best wishes, Mark.

Very high likelihood of seroma, which
needs to be percutaneously drained until it, dries up which could be as long as
6 weeks. If not, you can have problems such as infection or pain (which you
already have). Make sure you see your surgeon ASAP.

It looks and sounds as if you have a seroma. Follow up with your surgeon so you can be evaluated, the seroma drained and treated. If not treated, the seroma may result in a more complicated long term problem for you that could require additional surgery to resolve.

It is likely that you have a seroma with the amount of fluid you described prior to drain removal on day 4. Your surgeon can easily detect a fluid wave on exam and/or order an ultrasound to determine if you have a seroma. If present, the options for treatment include repeated aspiration, replacement of a drain, or opening and packing the incision.

Drain removal before infection is definitely a good idea, but not when the drainage is still 220 cc per day, especially at 4 days. I remove the drains when they are draining less than 30 cc per day. Typically the dragons come out around 8 to 14 days.  This sounds like a seroma that needs to be drained.

Thank you for your pictures. I do not agree with early drain removal.  I subscribe to appropriate drain removal.  This means removal of the drains when the drainage is less than 25 cc/day consistently.  In my practice, that seems to occur around the 10-14 day mark.  My seroma rate is exceeding low for tummy tucks. What you are describing sounds like a seroma but this a diagnosis based on an exam. Depending on the size of the seroma it may need to be drained followed with continued use of your compression garment.

The signs and symptoms you describe are those usually associated with a postoperative seroma.  Unfortunately this requires an exam to know for sure.  Additionally, your surgeon could obtain an ultrasound to help visualize and confirm the seroma.  Treatment options include observation/compression (usually not for large seromas), aspiration with or without drain placement, or opening the incision and placing packing or a wound vac to help encourage draining and eventual healing.  See your plastic surgeon to decide how to proceed.  Good luck!--Erik Hoy, M.D.

It is impossible to tell if you have a seroma via pictures alone. However, per your history I think that seroma is likely. I also disagree with early drain removal.The drain fluid doesn't just disappear after you remove the drains. It will collect under your abdominal flap. You need to keep the drains in until they drain less than 25-30 cc a day. If you feel you have a seroma you should contact your PS about possible aspiration of fluid. In the meantime limit your bending at the waist and wear your binder.

a seroma can only be diagnosed on clinical examination. If it is so then it is quite readily removed using a fine needle and syringe.