Tummy Tuck is a cosmetic surgery procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, resulting in a flatter stomach. The procedure can be performed on men and women who have undergone significant weight loss or who have pregnancy-related stretch marks or other conditions that cause excess skin. In this area of the body, the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels work as a drainage system for fluids. During a tummy tuck, these vessels are cut. Because of this, the body removes fluid in the area a lot slower, resulting in fluid buildup known as edema or swelling.
After the Surgery After your tummy tuck surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room, where you will receive close observation by our team of nurses and doctors. You will be closely monitored throughout your stay in the hospital until it is determined that you are able to go home. You should plan on staying overnight in the hospital following your procedure so that we can monitor any complications and ensure proper healing. You will feel some discomfort after surgery but this should not interfere with daily activities such as bathing and dressing yourself once you are at home.
Read on to learn more ABOUT Fluid Retention After Tummy Tuck, how to get rid of seroma after tummy tuck and How Long Does Seroma Last After Tummy Tuck.
Fluid Retention After Tummy Tuck
Seroma is a collection of fluid that builds up under the surface of your skin. A seroma sometimes develops after surgical procedures and is a common complication associated with a 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.
How to Get Rid of Fluid After Tummy Tuck
Seroma is a collection of clear, straw-colored fluid that develops in the tissues after surgery. Seromas can occur after any surgical procedure, but are most common after abdominal liposuction or tummy tuck.
Seromas tend to resolve on their own within a few weeks after surgery. If a seroma does not resolve on its own or if it becomes infected, it must be drained. To drain a seroma yourself, first wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and then sterilize the area with an antiseptic solution. Next, place sterile gauze over the seroma and secure it with tape or medical tape. After 10 minutes, remove the gauze and allow it to drain for 30 minutes. You can repeat this process until all of the fluid has been drained from your body.
If you have any questions about how to properly drain a seroma yourself, contact your doctor immediately
A seroma is a collection of clear fluid that develops in the tissues surrounding the surgical incision. Seromas can be caused by surgery, trauma or infection. The development of seromas often requires treatment, such as drainage or antibiotics.
Seroma formation is relatively common after liposuction, abdominoplasty and tummy tuck surgeries due to the various areas of trauma and the presence of thin tissue layers. In addition, seromas can also occur after breast augmentation surgery and abdominoplasty due to the amount of tissue removed from these areas.
Seromas are usually painless unless they become infected or rupture into an open wound. However, if you experience any discomfort around your incision area, contact your doctor immediately so he can drain the excess fluid from your body before it becomes a problem.
How Long Does Seroma Last After Tummy Tuck
The seroma will resolve itself as the swelling goes down and the scar matures. The best thing to do is to be patient and let it heal by itself. If you are concerned about the swelling, you can have a drain removed if it has been in place for more than 10 days. However, there is no evidence that removing a drain early helps.
Seroma can occur anywhere on your body after surgery, but they tend to occur more commonly in patients who have had large amounts of fat removed or who have had a lot of fluid drained during the operation.
The best treatment for a seroma is to leave it alone so that it heals itself over time.
A seroma is a collection of fluid that has collected in the tissue beneath your skin. It can happen after any surgery, but it’s more common after tummy tucks because there’s a lot of tissue to recover.
The formation of a seroma is often unavoidable, but you can help prevent it by doing your best to drink plenty of water, keep the incision area clean, and keep your body moving. If a seroma does form, your doctor may recommend draining it so you can continue to heal without pain or discomfort.
Seromas usually resolve on their own within two weeks after surgery. However, if you have developed a large seroma that won’t go away on its own, your surgeon will likely recommend treating it with ultrasound or drainage (also called syringe aspiration). This involves inserting a needle into the fluid pocket and removing some of the fluid through suctioning or syringe.
Stages of Swelling After Tummy Tuck
After undergoing a tummy tuck procedure, it is normal to experience swelling as part of the healing process. Swelling is a common side effect of surgery, and understanding the stages of swelling can help patients know what to expect during their recovery.
Stage 1: Immediate Swelling
Immediately after a tummy tuck surgery, patients will experience significant swelling in the treated area. This is a normal response to the trauma of surgery and the body’s natural healing process. The swelling is usually most pronounced in the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure and may cause discomfort and tightness in the abdomen.
Stage 2: Subacute Swelling
Subacute swelling typically occurs in the first week to 10 days after surgery. During this stage, the swelling may gradually begin to decrease, but patients may still notice some residual swelling and bruising. It is important for patients to follow their surgeon’s post-operative instructions, including wearing compression garments and avoiding strenuous activities, to help reduce swelling during this stage.
Stage 3: Chronic Swelling
Chronic swelling, also known as late-stage swelling, can persist for several weeks to months after a tummy tuck procedure. This type of swelling is often more subtle and may come and go throughout the day. Patients may notice that their abdomen feels puffy or slightly swollen, especially after physical exertion or at the end of the day.
How to Manage Swelling
There are several strategies that patients can use to help manage swelling after a tummy tuck:
- Wear compression clothing, as your surgeon has advised.
- Elevate your legs when sitting or lying down to help reduce swelling in the abdomen.
- Avoid salty foods and drinks, as excess sodium can contribute to fluid retention and swelling.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to help flush out excess fluid from the body.
- Follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions closely to ensure a smooth recovery.
