How to get rid of fluid after tummy tuck

In this guide, we find out how to get rid of fluid after tummy tuck, will water pills help with swelling after tummy tuck, Why do I have so much fluid after tummy tuck, and How do you get rid of excess fluid after surgery?

how to get rid of fluid after tummy tuck

After a tummy tuck, your surgical team typically puts drainage tubes in place for a few days or hours. Sometimes the tubes do not adequately drain the fluid built up under the skin, and a seroma may form. 

If you do end up with a seroma after a tummy tuck, do not panic. The condition is very treatable, and most patients make a full recovery. Below, we’ll go over how to treat a seroma after a tummy tuck. 

How Do I Identify A Seroma? 

Seromas typically form within a few days of surgery, although a seroma may form up to a month after your tummy tuck. A seroma looks like a large lump or cyst and is sometimes described as a “balloon-like swelling.” You may feel liquid or movement underneath the skin. Sometimes, a seroma is tender to the touch, and some seromas calcify, resulting in a hard knot at the seroma site. 

A seroma may begin to drain on its own. You will notice clear, sometimes slightly bloody drainage coming from the incision. The seroma could become infected and develop into an abscess, spreading quickly and putting you risk for severe illness and sepsis. Signs of infection include fever or chills, blood pressure changes, confusion, and a rapid heart rate or rapid breathing.

While long-term or serious complications due to a seroma are rare, you should always seek immediate medical attention if a seroma forms. A medical professional can help assess whether you are at risk for infection and provide preventative care. 

Seroma Treatment 

Minor seromas may not require medical treatment. While you should see a doctor to be certain, they may recommend a watch and wait approach. Your body can sometimes naturally reabsorb the fluid within a few weeks or months. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter painkillers to manage any discomfort during this time. As the seroma passes naturally, seek follow-up medical care if you notice signs of infection. 

Your doctor may need to drain the seroma via a large syringe for more severe cases. Your doctor will need to drain a seroma more than once in rare cases. However, this procedure increases your risk of infection and possibly an ensuing abscess. Therefore, doctors only opt to drain a seroma if the treatment site is free of infection and if the seroma causes pain, discomfort, or limited mobility. If you end up getting your seroma drained, follow all aftercare instructions very closely and seek immediate medical help if you notice symptoms like a high fever or shortness of breath. 

In very rare cases, a seroma may need to be removed surgically. Surgery is typically minor, but – as always – follow all of your doctor’s instructions closely before and after to avoid further complications. 

Seroma Prevention After A Tummy Tuck

You can never completely eliminate the risk of a seroma or any other complication from a tummy tuck. However, there are several steps you can take to reduce your likelihood of developing a seroma. 

Most importantly, work with a qualified plastic surgeon with experience performing tummy tucks. A good surgeon will take every precaution to ensure your safety before surgery by going over your medical history and doing a preliminary exam to ensure you’re healthy enough to undergo surgery. If a surgeon is rushing you through the consultation process, this is a red flag. 

Ask your doctor about compression garments after surgery, which can help reduce swelling and help your skin heal faster. While not every patient is a good candidate for compression garments, wear them exactly as directed if your doctor recommends them. 

It is important to know that, while seromas are not 100% preventable, they are very rare – especially when working with a qualified surgeon. The majority of seromas are mild and will likely reduce on their own. Although, you should always contact a doctor if a seroma forms. 

Seroma After A Tummy Tuck: The Bottom Line 

While a seroma may form within the weeks following a tummy tuck, the good news is that seromas are usually not serious. Complications like infection and an abscess are rare and can be prevented with prompt medical intervention. The best way to prevent a seroma is to work closely with a qualified surgeon and follow aftercare guidance.

Considering a tummy tuck? Leif Rogers, MD, is an Ivy League-educated, board-certified plastic surgeon. If you’re interested in a tummy tuck, get in touch with his team to schedule a consultation. 

will water pills help with swelling after tummy tuck

Lasix, also known as furosemide, is a diuretic and is a prescription medication commonly used after surgery. It is given to increase urine output which in turn can decrease blood pressure, edema, fluid overload, and can stimulate the kidneys when they are not working properly.

Lasix is used to decrease the amount of fluid in the body, particularly in the veins and arteries of the body. If the body is holding too much fluid, it can increase stress on the heart, cause fluid to build up in the lungs, and can also cause swelling, typically in the legs and feet. Triggering the body to increase urine output can help treat these conditions.

Why It’s Used After Surgery

Lasix is used after surgery for a variety of reasons. Patients who have congestive heart failure will be monitored closely for fluid overload after a procedure, and if the condition is worsening after surgery, Lasix may be given to reduce the workload of the heart. If congestive heart failure occurs, or large amounts of fluid are being retained, the lungs can also be affected. If this extra fluid begins to build in the lungs, a serious condition called pulmonary edema may result, which can make it difficult to provide the body with enough oxygen. Removing this extra fluid can improve heart and lung function.

Swelling, especially in the legs, can also be an issue after surgery. Fluid retention is often a problem, especially if the patient is not getting up to walk or is receiving ICU level care. Some surgeries require ample fluids to be provided during the procedure, especially open-heart surgery that is done “on pump.” For these patients, removing this extra fluid in the first days of recovery is helpful.

For some individuals, the kidneys may not work as well after surgery as they typically do, this may be due to receiving anesthesia. For these individuals, a dose or even several doses of Lasix may help “kick start” the kidneys and help them return to full function. The same is true after experiencing kidney failure, or even after a kidney transplant.

Some patients take Lasix routinely at home for a variety of kidney, liver, and heart conditions. For these individuals, the Lasix given in the hospital may be a continuation of their daily medications that help maintain the fluid balance in the body at a better level than their body could do without medication.

How It Works

Lasix prevents the kidneys from keeping as much salt in the bloodstream as they normally do, which increases the amount of salt in urine. Water is drawn into the urine along with the salt, which in turn increases the amount of water that leaves the body.

How It’s Given

Lasix can be given as a pill, a syrup taken by mouth, an IV injection, or an injection into the muscle. However, it is rarely given as an injection into the muscle. In the hospital setting, it is typically given as a pill or an IV injection. It is a prescription medication.

Common Side Effects

Taking Lasix can cause a decrease in blood pressure as fluid is removed from the body. This is often a desired effect of the medication but can result in dizziness if the blood pressure falls quickly or is too low.

Lasix changes the electrolyte balance in the body—particularly salt and potassium. This can lead to cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. This medication can worsen liver problems. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are a side effect of most medications and are also common after surgery.

Risks

People who are pregnant should take Lasix only if the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Pregnant women who take Lasix are known to have higher birth weight babies than they would otherwise. This medication can also decrease breast milk production and can be passed to an infant through milk.

Lasix is also known to be ototoxic, which means it can be damaging to the ears and affect the ability to hear. This is typically only a problem when the medication is given in very large doses through an IV. To prevent this type of damage, the medication is given slowly when prescribed as an IV medication, with even small doses being given “slow push” into an IV.

Because Lasix works by removing salt from the bloodstream, it can sometimes result in a loss of too much salt, which can be serious in severe cases. When taking Lasix, the loss of potassium is a known risk. Potassium should be monitored, and if you take Lasix for an extended period of time you may require a daily potassium supplement. Individuals with a severe allergy to sulfa medications should notify their healthcare provider prior to taking a dose of Lasix. This medication should not be taken by individuals with pancreatitis, an often painful inflammation of the pancreas. This medication can worsen gout or trigger a flare of gout.

Why do I have so much fluid after tummy tuck

Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is popular with men and women for its transformative powers and is a safe, dependable option when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. That said, it is natural for extensive surgical lifting and shaping procedures to require special attention during recovery, as the body must cope with healing the underlying musculature and surface tissues.

Seromas are the most common complication associated with tummy tuck surgery and Fort Worth tummy tuck patients often have questions about whether they are experiencing this condition after surgery. Here, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily J. Kirby answers the most frequently asked seroma questions from real tummy tuck patients.

Seromas are the most common complication associated with tummy tuck surgery.

Tummy tuck recovery in Fort Worth

After surgery, you will wear a fitted garment to encourage healing; you are also advised to wear compression socks to keep blood flowing smoothly in your legs. Stitches placed during surgery will dissolve on their own. Most tummy tuck patients will need drains to expedite your safe recovery.

You need to keep a slightly flexed posture at the waist for 2 weeks to avoid straining the incision and tightened abdominal muscles. Gentle walking is encouraged the day of surgery. The local anesthetic TAP block lasts several hours, making post-operative discomfort manageable. You may return to work and light activity within two weeks, however, strenuous activity is not permitted until 6 weeks after your procedure, if the recovery has gone smoothly.

What is a seroma?

A seroma is a collection of fluid that builds up under the skin near the surgical site or where tissue was removed. This clear-yellow fluid is part of your body’s natural response to healing and may occur a few days to several weeks after surgery.

Risk factors for a seroma after tummy tuck

Risk factors that increase the likelihood of experiencing a seroma after tummy tuck include:

Do I have a seroma?

Seromas may appear as a swollen lump or water balloon and may be tender. Other common seroma symptoms include clear or yellow fluid draining from the incision site. Fluid that is thick or odorous may indicate that you may have an infection. If you experience any of these symptoms, immediately contact your plastic surgeon to advise you on the next steps to take.

How do you make seromas go away?

Not all seromas need medical treatment. The body may reabsorb the fluid naturally or it may drain out through the skin’s surface within a few weeks. Your surgeon may advise a simple, in-office needle aspiration procedure to treat the seroma if:

Seroma treatment at home

Patients can speed healing of mild seromas at home by following these steps:

Can seromas be prevented?

Committing yourself to the recovery plan will likely lower the risk of seromas after your tummy tuck. It is not possible to prevent all occurrences of seroma development in every patient but an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon will have a thorough understanding of body anatomy and its response to invasive procedures, and will determine the best approach to safely achieve optimal results.

Tummy tuck techniques

Fort Worth Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby has extensive experience in performing tummy tucks and uses proven techniques to minimize postoperative complications such as progressive tension sutures and targeted liposuction to further reduce seroma formation and other complications.

Fort Worth plastic surgery

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily J. Kirby and the outstanding team at Kirby Plastic Surgery specialize in proven aesthetic and reconstructive procedures and are here to answer your questions, listen to your goals, and empower you on your plastic surgery journey.

How do you get rid of excess fluid after surgery

Excess fluid buildup, also known as edema or swelling, can occur after surgery and may lead to discomfort, delayed healing, and other complications. Here are some ways to help get rid of excess fluid after surgery:

1. Compression Garments: Wearing compression garments, such as elastic bandages or compression stockings, can help to reduce swelling and improve blood flow. Your surgeon may recommend a specific type of compression garment and length of time to wear it.
2. Elevation: Elevating the affected limb or body part above the level of your heart can help to promote drainage of excess fluid. For example, if you have had leg surgery, you can elevate your leg on pillows or use a recliner.
3. Massage: Gentle massage or manual lymphatic drainage techniques can help to stimulate lymphatic flow and reduce fluid buildup. However, it is important to avoid any deep tissue massage or pressure that may damage healing tissue.
4. Medications: In some cases, your surgeon may prescribe diuretics or other medications to help reduce excess fluid buildup. It is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions closely when taking any medication.
5. Hydration: Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, can help to flush out excess fluid from your body and promote healing. However, it is important to avoid excessive intake of caffeine, alcohol, and sodium, which can worsen fluid retention.

It is important to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions closely and attend all follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and identify any complications. If you experience significant swelling, redness, or fever, or notice any drainage or foul odor from your incision site, contact your surgeon or healthcare provider immediately.