Tummy Tuck: Prices, Photos, Reviews, Info, Q&A

A seroma is a collection of fluid in a confined space. After a tummy tuck, there is potential for having the space between the fat layer and the muscle layer to fill with fluid. If your surgeon diagnoses a seroma after a tummy tuck, then very likely he or she will recommend removal of the fluid.

This is normally done by inserting a needle with an attached syringe and removing the fluid. It is not uncommon to require several office visits to permanently stop the accumulation of this fluid. If a seroma is left unattended then it may not go away. (John J. Edney, MD, Omaha Plastic Surgeon)

Sometimes these are made more challenging by garments or binders that we use. If it is no longer obvious on exam the only tool that is commonly used is ultrasound.

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A tummy tuck can be done as a solitary procedure. Many times the results are enhanced by adding liposuction to the hip and love handle area. A tummy tuck is also done in combination with a breast augmentation in a mommy makeover. (Robert Whitfield, MD, FACS, Austin Plastic Surgeon)

This is not an uncommon problem – seromas after abdominoplasty surgery are fairly common. Once the amount of fluid that your body produces is less than the amount it can absorb, it will go away.

You might be able to tell if there is still fluid by pushing on the side of your abdomen and looking for a “wave” of fluid that is under the skin. It is hard to tell, though, so your surgeon is the best person to visit for advice.

While this process is occurring, keeping activity low and wearing a compression garment can help reduce the risk of more fluid accumulating. Many surgeons use drains after surgery to create negative suction and eliminate the “dead space” where fluid collect. I have been using progressive tension sutures (on the inside of the tissue) instead of tummy tuck drains for many years, and I rarely have any seromas after tummy tucks. (Michelle Spring, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

What is a seroma after tummy tuck

Seroma is an uncommon complication but a nuisance when it occurs. There is no distinct length of time that a seroma lasts but it is unlikely to cause great harm regardless. Most would agree that they need to be frequently drained until they are either very small or go away. Once gone, as it sounds like yours is, they tend to be a non-issue. (Jeremy Pyle, MD, Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon)

I am very sorry to hear that you have developed a seroma after a tummy tuck. A bulge, weird pocket of swelling or a feeling of fluid beneath the skin are all signs or seroma. Truthfully, the best way to determine if you have a seroma is an examination by your surgeon. It sounds like you have done the best thing that can be done which is to have your doctor drain the seroma in the office.

If he or she is unable to have it resolve by simple drainage there are medicines such as doxycycline that can be injected into the area to help the seroma resolve. It is important to realize that the seroma in and of itself will not hurt you in any way, and that the real issue is removing it from a cosmetic perspective. (Sacha Obaid, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)

Seroma can occur after tummy tuck surgery. Seroma treatment may entail gentle compression with garments or fluid evacuation. Our office specializes in tummy tuck revision surgery should you require treatment. (Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

Seromas can occur in up to 15% of tummy tuck patients.Usually they can be drained in the office under local anesthesia and resolve after a few sessions of draining.

However if the seroma persists or does not decrease in size, you may require re-insertion of a drain or even surgery to remove the capsule (scar tissue) which can be lining the seroma. Please discuss this in detail with your plastic surgeon for more information. (William Bruno, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

A seroma is not dangerous. It is not easy for you to examine yourself to identify a recurrent seroma. If you are concerned, return to your plastic surgeon and he/she would be able to let you know one way or the other. (Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS, Wellesley Plastic Surgeon)

There is no specific time a seroma can take up to 2 months it should be aspired at least every 2 days (Jhonny Salomon, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)

Seromas, or fluid collections under the skin or other tissue, are not uncommon after a Tummy Tuck procedure. These are in no way dangerous. Usually drains are used to help prevent this fluid collection from forming. If the seroma is small, your body will slowly resorb it and no other treatment is usually necessary.

Six weeks is very early in the recovery process after a tummy tuck, and swelling especially in the lower abdomen can sometimes take several months to completely resolve. (Kelly E. Tjelmeland, MD, Austin Plastic Surgeon)