If you’ve had a tummy tuck and are noticing a yellow fluid leaking from your incision, you’re not alone. This is an extremely common occurrence, and it can be quite alarming.
It’s important to remember that the yellow fluid is not infected pus—it’s actually lymph fluid that has drained out of the lymphatic system in your body into your incision. The reason this happens is because the skin and fat layers under your belly button were cut during surgery, which allows for drainage from the lymph nodes to occur through the incision site. The lymphatic system is responsible for absorbing excess fluids from around your organs, so when this happens, it can be alarming because it looks like an infection or rash. In this guide, we review the aspects of: My Tummy Tuck Incision Is Leaking Yellow Fluid, Why is pus coming out of my tummy tuck incision, What do I do if my tummy tuck incision opens, and What to do if pus is coming out of incision?
Don’t worry! The yellow fluid will stop leaking after a few days or weeks depending on the severity of your leakage issue (some people have very little leakage while others have significant amounts). It’s also important to note that this is completely normal following any type of abdominal surgery including tummy tucks, liposuction procedures, hysterectomies or other types of abdominal surgeries where fat removal takes place due to its location being close enough to drain into this area instead of down into another part of your body.
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A seroma is a collection of fluid that builds up under the surface of your skin. Seromas may develop after a surgical procedure, most often at the site of the surgical incision or where tissue was removed. The fluid, called serum, doesn’t always build up right away. The swelling and fluid may start collecting several weeks after surgery.
What causes a seroma?
A seroma may form after a surgical procedure. In some cases, a seroma may form after a very minor surgery. Most seromas, though, will appear after a rather extensive procedure, or one in which a lot of tissue is removed or disrupted.
Your surgical team will place drainage tubes in and around the incision to try to prevent a seroma. The drainage tubes may remain in your body for a few hours or a few days after the surgery in order to prevent fluid buildup.
In many cases, the use of drainage tubes will be sufficient for preventing a seroma. However, that’s not always the case, and a week or two after the procedure you may begin noticing the signs of fluid buildup near the incision.
The most common types of surgery that result in seromas include:
- body contouring, such as liposuction or arm, breast, thigh, or buttocks lifts
- breast augmentation or mastectomy
- hernia repair
- abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck
Risk factors of a seroma
Several factors increase your risk for developing a seroma after a surgical procedure. Not everyone with these risk factors will develop a seroma, however. These risk factors include:
- extensive surgery
- a procedure that disrupts large amounts of tissue
- a history of seromas following surgical procedures
How to identify a seroma
In many cases, a seroma will have the appearance of a swollen lump, like a large cyst. It may also be tender or sore when touched. A clear discharge from the surgical incision is common when a seroma is present. You may have an infection if the discharge becomes bloody, changes color, or develops an odor.
In rare cases, a seroma may calcify. This will leave a hard knot in the seroma site.
What complications may be caused be seromas?
A seroma may drain externally onto your skin’s surface from time to time. The drainage should be clear or slightly bloody. If you begin experiencing the symptoms of an infection, the seroma may have developed into an abscess.
You’ll need medical treatment for an abscess. It’s unlikely to disappear on its own, and it may grow in size and become very uncomfortable. The infection may also make you very sick, especially if the infection spreads to the bloodstream. This puts you at risk of developing a severe illness or sepsis.
Symptoms of a serious infection include:
- fever and chills
- confusion
- blood pressure changes
- rapid heart rate or breathing
When to seek emergency medical help
Serious or long-term problems related to a seroma are very rare. However, seek emergency medical attention f you experience any of the following symptoms:
- white or very bloody drainage from the seroma
- a fever that exceeds 100.4°F
- increasing redness around the seroma
- rapidly increasing swelling
- increasing pain
- warm skin on or around the seroma
- rapid heart rate
You should also seek emergency medical attention if swelling causes the surgical incision to open up or if you notice pus draining from the incision site.
How are seromas treated?
Minor, small seromas don’t always need medical treatment. That’s because the body may naturally reabsorb the fluid in a few weeks or months.
Medication won’t make the fluid disappear faster, but you may be able to take over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil) to reduce any pain or discomfort, and to help ease any inflammation caused by the seroma. Talk with your doctor about your options.
Larger seromas may require treatment by your doctor. Your doctor may suggest draining the seroma if it’s large or painful. To do this, your doctor will insert a needle into the seroma and remove the fluid with a syringe.
Seromas may return and your doctor may need to drain a seroma multiple times. In some cases, your doctor may suggest removing the seroma entirely. This is accomplished with a very minor surgical procedure.
Can seromas be prevented?
Surgical drainage systems are used in some surgeries to prevent a seroma from developing. Before your procedure, however, you should discuss with your doctor the likelihood of developing a seroma and what they can do to help prevent it.
Also, ask your doctor about compression garments. These medical devices are designed to help skin and tissue heal faster. They may also reduce swelling and bruising after a surgery. These dressings may help reduce your risk of developing a seroma.
These small steps may help prevent a seroma from forming if you have surgery. If a seroma does develop, be sure to check with your doctor so you both can decide on the best steps for treatment. Though bothersome, seromas are rarely serious, so rest assured that you’ll eventually heal.
Why is pus coming out of my tummy tuck incision
The tummy tuck is also known as abdominoplasty in medical terms. The procedure is performed with a high success rate on both men and women nowadays. The procedure is quite complex and entails the use of one or multiple incisions that vary in length. Generally speaking, two incisions are necessary for a traditional tummy tuck. One incision will be performed on the suprapubic area and can go from one hip bone to the other and the second incision is around the belly button and needed to reposition the navel. Because the incisions can be significant and because it is a major surgery, the procedure is associated with certain risks and complications, just like any other surgery performed for aesthetic purposes or not.
A complication that can occur after any type of surgery that involves incisions is infection. An infection can occur because of two factors: either the safety protocols were not followed when the procedure was performed and the infection was contacted during surgery, or the patient didn’t follow the recommendations of the plastic surgeon for wound care and an infection develops after the surgery.
Sure signs of infection after the tummy tuck are pus coming from the incisions, incisions being swollen and red, intense pain in the abdominal area, and high fever. It is not difficult to notice these signs of infection as they can be quite intense in some cases. Generally speaking, each time we are talking about high fever after undergoing a surgical procedure, chances are infection has occurred. If you notice any or all of these signs of infection, seek medical help as soon as possible.
To avoid developing an infection after the tummy tuck, an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon will prescribe antibiotics for five days post-op. The procedure should also be performed with the patient getting antibiotics through IV. The antibiotics have a preventive purpose here to avoid infections. An infection occurring after the tummy tuck can cause delays in the healing process and trigger additional complications that could otherwise be avoided.
The sure signs of infection might be difficult to notice in a patient that wasn’t in the best physical condition before undergoing the tummy tuck, and this is the reason why your plastic surgeon should insist you are in top medical condition before undergoing such a complex surgery.
The recommendation is to have a friend or family member in the house with you after surgery to monitor your recovery for the first 24 to 48 hours and get medical help in case they notice any signs of infection. It is crucial to treat infections as fast as possible to avoid other complications such as the opening of the incisions. Oatients are advised to keep the incision site clean and dry at all times to avoid infections.
What do I do if my tummy tuck incision open
During a tummy tuck, your surgeon will create an incision in your skin and the underlying structures so they can remove excess tissue and sculpt a firm and flat abdomen. Once the procedure is complete, the incision will be closed with sutures or staples, and you’ll be sent home to recover. With wound dehiscence or separation, the edges of the incision pull apart before the area is completely healed. It’s a serious complication that requires immediate medical attention – but it’s also one that can be avoided with proper care from your surgeon.
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Understanding wound separation
There are two types of wound dehiscence: partial and complete. If you have a partial separation, the superficial layers of the tissue will reopen. With complete separation, all of the layers reopen, revealing underlying tissue such as the abdominal muscles.
Depending on the severity of your wound dehiscence, you may notice the following symptoms:
What causes wound separation after a tummy tuck?
A number of factors can cause wound separation after a tummy tuck – and almost all of them are preventable. That’s why it’s so important to select a highly skilled surgeon who can ensure that your wound heals properly and without any complications.
Poor Closure. In many cases, wound separation after a tummy tuck develops due to problems with the way your tissues were closed. For example, if an inadequate number of sutures are placed. Additionally, it could be due to the fact that only superficial tissues were sutured, but underlying layers which bear the most tension were not.
The removal of too much skin. If the surgeon removes too much skin from the area, it places undue tension on the closure, which can cause the wound to eventually separate. To prevent this from happening, Dr. Rahban uses a conservative approach when performing his tummy tucks, and will leave just enough tissue to allow for an ideal closure. If your surgeon feels you will not have enough tissue to remove, he will deny your candidacy for the procedure.
The premature removal of sutures. While most of your sutures should be deep and absorbable, there are often superficial sutures that also need to be removed. Your plastic surgeon needs to remove your sutures once the area is fully healed. If they are taken out too soon, wound dehiscence can develop.
An infection. If you acquire an infection after a tummy tuck, the wound edges may separate. As such, preventing an infection is a critical part of your aftercare guidelines. To that end, Dr. Rahban takes multiple precautions before, during and after surgery to lower that risk.
A chronic medical condition. Certain conditions – such as diabetes, heart disease and anemia – can lead to poor healing, which increases your risk of developing wound separation.
Excess pressure at the incision site. Excess pressure due to strenuous exercise, vomiting, excessive movement, straining, constipation, sneezing and coughing may prevent your wound from healing properly. As such, Dr. Rahban will talk to you about reducing pressure in the abdominal area as you heal and uses a very specific abdominal binder to assist with your healing.
Smoking. The use of nicotine has been shown to greatly affect wound healing often leading to separation. Smoking reduces the circulation in small blood vessels. Dr. Rahban will insist that you refrain from smoking for 4 weeks prior and 2 weeks after your surgery.
In addition, certain factors increase your risk of developing wound separation after a tummy tuck. They include being obese, increased age, and poor nutrition. If you possess any of these risk factors, Dr. Rahban will offer personalized guidance regarding steps you can take to improve your chances of enjoying a complication-free recovery period.
How is wound separation treated?
Wound separation is a serious surgical complication that requires immediate medical attention. To begin, antibiotics will be administered to prevent a new infection from developing. Surgical debridement will then be performed to clean the area, remove dead tissue or infected tissue, and encourage the wound to heal properly. From there, the incision will be carefully closed once again.
Over the next several weeks, you will be monitored closely for any signs of a recurrence. You’ll also be advised to change your surgical dressings frequently as you recover, as this will prevent an infection and allow healing air to reach the area.
How to prevent a recurrence
Once a patient experiences wound separation, a recurrence is always a possibility. However, there are steps that you can take to encourage your wound to heal optimally, thus preventing dehiscence from developing again. They include:
Follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions. This is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent a recurrence of wound separation. Taking all medications as directed, cleaning your wound regularly and changing your dressings as instructed are all very effective ways to promote proper healing.
Stay healthy. Your overall health also impacts your body’s ability to heal. As such, it’s important to maintain a proper diet and stay hydrated. These steps will not only keep you healthy, but they’ll also prevent constipation, which can cause you to bear down when passing a bowel movement and may increase your risk of a recurrence.
Avoid straining. Until you are fully healed, it’s important to avoid placing any unnecessary tension on your abdominal area by refraining from heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and aggressive vomiting and coughing.
What to do if pus is coming out of incision
In the field of medicine, the skin plays a crucial role as a natural barrier against infection. While there are numerous precautions and protocols put in place to prevent infections, any surgery that causes a break in the skin can potentially lead to an infection. These infections are known as surgical site infections (SSIs) and occur in the area of the body where the surgery was performed. The likelihood of developing an SSI after surgery typically ranges from 1% to 3%, making it a relatively common occurrence in the healthcare setting.
SSIs can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
1. Bacteria: One of the primary culprits behind surgical site infections is the presence of bacteria. When the skin is compromised during surgery, bacteria can enter the body and cause infection.
2. Poor wound care: Inadequate wound care post-surgery can also increase the risk of developing an SSI. It is essential to follow proper wound care protocols to minimize the chances of infection.
3. Immunocompromised patients: Individuals with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to SSIs. Conditions such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and certain types of cancer can compromise the body’s ability to fight off infections.
4. Length of surgery: Longer surgical procedures are associated with a higher risk of SSIs. Prolonged exposure of the surgical site can increase the chances of bacterial contamination.
To prevent surgical site infections, healthcare providers follow strict protocols before, during, and after surgery. These measures may include:
– Preoperative antibiotics: Administering antibiotics before surgery can help reduce the risk of SSIs by combating bacteria that may be present on the skin.
– Sterile operating room environment: Maintaining a sterile environment in the operating room is essential to prevent the introduction of bacteria during surgery.
– Proper wound care: Following proper wound care protocols post-surgery, such as keeping the wound clean and dry, can help prevent infections.
– Monitoring for signs of infection: Healthcare providers closely monitor patients for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge from the surgical site.
In conclusion, surgical site infections are a common complication of surgery that can be prevented with proper infection control measures. By understanding the risk factors and implementing strict protocols, healthcare providers can minimize the occurrence of SSIs and improve patient outcomes. The skin’s role as a natural barrier against infection underscores the importance of maintaining its integrity during surgical procedures.
Types of surgical site infections
An SSI typically occurs within 30 days after surgery. The CDC describes 3 types of surgical site infections:
Superficial incisional SSI. This infection occurs just in the area of the skin where the incision was made.
Deep incisional SSI. This infection occurs beneath the incision area in muscle and the tissues surrounding the muscles.
Organ or space SSI. This type of infection can be in any area of the body other than skin, muscle, and surrounding tissue that was involved in the surgery. This includes a body organ or a space between organs.
Signs and symptoms of surgical site infections
Any SSI may cause redness, delayed healing, fever, pain, tenderness, warmth, or swelling. These are the other signs and symptoms for specific types of SSI:
A superficial incisional SSI may produce pus from the wound site. Samples of the pus may be grown in a culture to find out the types of germs that are causing the infection.
A deep incisional SSI may also produce pus. The wound site may reopen on its own, or a surgeon may reopen the wound and find pus inside the wound.
An organ or space SSI may show a discharge of pus coming from a drain placed through the skin into a body space or organ. A collection of pus, called an abscess, is an enclosed area of pus and disintegrating tissue surrounded by inflammation. An abscess may be seen when the surgeon reopens the wound or by special X-ray studies.
Causes and risk factors of surgical site infections
Infections after surgery are caused by germs. The most common of these include the bacteria Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas. Germs can infect a surgical wound through various forms of contact, such as from the touch of a contaminated caregiver or surgical instrument, through germs in the air, or through germs that are already on or in your body and then spread into the wound.
The degree of risk for an SSI is linked to the type of surgical wound you have. Surgical wounds can be classified in this way:
Clean wounds. These are not inflamed or contaminated and do not involve operating on an internal organ.
Clean-contaminated wounds. These have no evidence of infection at the time of surgery, but do involve operating on an internal organ.
Contaminated wounds. These involve operating on an internal organ with a spilling of contents from the organ into the wound.
Dirty wounds. These are wounds in which a known infection is present at the time of the surgery.
These are other risk factors for SSIs:
Having surgery that lasts more than 2 hours
Having other medical problems or diseases
Having a weak immune system
Helping prevent surgical site infections
If you are having surgery, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk for a surgical site infection. It’s important to stop smoking before surgery and to tell your surgical team about your medical history, especially if you have diabetes or another chronic illness. Also, avoid shaving in the skin area that the surgeon is planning to operate through.
No matter how curious they are, loved ones should not touch your wound or surgical site. Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions about wound care after surgery. Call your doctor if you develop a fever or pus, redness, heat, pain or tenderness near the wound or any other signs or symptoms of a surgical site infection.
Treating surgical site infections
Most SSIs can be treated with antibiotics. Sometimes additional surgery or procedures may be required to treat the SSI. During recovery, make sure that friends and family members wash their hands before and after they enter your room. Make sure doctors, nurses, and other caregivers wash their hands, too.