Aspiration

Okay, this was not fun.  After LBL I had 4 drains.  Three of them were to come out in two weeks, but ended up taking all 4 out because one had started to come out by itself.  So, because of this, some fluid built up and had to be sucked out at today's appointment. It didn't hurt - felt like a pinch - but I was really nervous and weak at the knees just thinking about it.  Anyone know what I can do to hopefully never go through that again?  What causes the fluid to accumulate and how do I get rid of it naturally?
Thanks
L.

I'll betcha Dr. L  could give you a good answer on this. Give this a few hours...if he pops on tonight, he can prolly fill you in.

The drains are the biggest drag of this whole process, arent they?

Soapy

Make sure you put on your compression garment, and try to limit your activities after the aspiration. That's what I have to do right now.  You will get through this, but you might have to have another aspiration.  After a while you get used to it.

Oh dear, I don't think I'll ever get used to it - even think about it makes me weak in the knees.  I ALWAYS wear the compression garmet, well except in the shower, but I put it on right after.  Wish i could wa**** but I'm willing to put up with the stains for the good that I know it is doing for me.
Thanks for the advice though.
L.

Some of us are just lucky to over produce fluid. I've had this issue with all of my body contouring procedures.  I have had a LBL and breast lift at the same time in June of 2008 - I had LOTS of problems with seromas -- my history is long.  You can read about it on my profile.  I had my legs done in January, and again had lots of fluid, but no seromas.  Once the drains came out, my entire legs from toe to hip were horribly swollen.  I had to see a lymphedema specialist and wear custom made stockings and use lymphedema compression wraps for a few months.  I had to have a revison in my thighs and developed a seroma following that because I had a fat necrosis removed as part of the revision.  I ended up with seromas with that, and then I got MRSA.
With my arm surgery that I had on October 31.  I have incisions from my elbows to my armpit, then a z-plasty in the arm pit area and down my chest wall and flanks to my hip bones, meeting up with my LBL incision.  I REALLY didn't want the anchor cut with my LBL and felt I could deal better with 2 incisions down my sides instead of one down my middle.  Just my choice.  I also had another small revision to one area of my thigh.  I have 2 seromas - one on each flank and a hematoma in my thigh.  My flanks have been aspirated twice now and my thigh has been aspirated 3 times in the past 6 days.  I have gotten more than used to it, and since the needle goes into the incision each time which is numb, it is pretty painless, but it can be disconcerting.  My one daughter and friend cannot be in the room with me when they do this - my other daughter and couple of other friends are more than used to watching.  My husband sat in and watched the 2 hour revision to my thighs last April.  We have become more than comfortable with all of this.

This best advice I can give you is to try and relax during the aspiration - deep breathe and if it bothers you don'****ch.  Wear your compression, and there are some theories that more activity increases fluid production, so curtail your activities.  Right now, I'm confined to the chair and trying to be still - unfortunately, my side is filling up again - I can see it getting fuller and fuller each time I use the bathroom.  I will have it aspirated again on Monday morning.  If I am still having problems the week after Thanksgiving then we will have to talk about scraping the pocket and trying a surgical fix.  So, as much as I don't want to be still and do nothing, I really don't want to go back to the OR - I've had 9 surgeries in 17 months and I really can go awhile before seeing the inside of an OR again!  So, compress, and be still and try and wait it out.  Keep it drained and flat - it has a better chance to heal that way - don't let it get too full because it can expand the pocket.

You might want to order another garment so that you can wash.  I trade between garments and my surgical binder from time to time too, or you can try ace wraps while your garment is drying.

Hang in there -

Whoa - I'm pretty lucky compared to what you've been through.  I don't know how you went back for more surgery after going through that.  I just went to the bathroom and it appears that I have a football in my stomach.  I never noticed any fluid build up before I went to the office this afternoon, but I sure do now.  I just emailed the surgeon to see what he has to say.  I may be going back to see him on Monday but will try lying flat for a while.
Thanks
L.

I will also say that I had NEVER had any surgical complications before my body lift.  I had 2 c-sections, appendectomy, d&e for a miscarriage, uterine ablation, gastric bypass and hysterectomy.  All 100% complication free - so when I began having problems after plastic surgery, I was so surprised.  I was always a fast healer, and up and going very quickly after each surgery.  I did take more time to before adding activity after my hysterectomy because I had been warned to go slow for best healing.  I also had a joint in my thumb replaced in June of this year, again with no problems at all.

To me, it just goes to show how problems can happen when we don't expect them and that plastic surgery is so different.  There is so much tissue disruption and we don't necessarily see that on the outside.  Heck, we don't even see our stitches - they are pretty much hidden with glue on top for most of us. We have no idea how much was moved and detached that needs to scar down. These procedures do take a larger toll on the body and require more healling time than we might think.  It does surprise me to see people wanting to return to work right away, or back at the gym.  I'm a fitness instructor - I routinely work out 6-10 hours per week.  I tired to teach one class last week from a chair and just instructing my class - but I was too tempted to demonstrate and show some of the things that I wanted them to do, but that isn't a great idea for me right now.

As best that you can, relax, and take time to let yourself heal - and to cope with the fluid.  I will say that once I had the last surgery for my body lift compliations I didn't have the swell hell that others talk about.  I didn't have issues many months later, etc.  I was healed up, but I had to lay still and allow my body to heal.  Also, the serous fluid that your body is over producing is high in protein.  Your body is losing some protein that way.  Make sure that your nutrition is really good right now, and make sure that your protein level is high and use supplements if needed. 

I never expected to be laid up from my LBL from June 7 through mid October last year, but that's how long it took to resolve the issue.  I couldn't have rushed it, but I may have prolonged it if I had pushed too hard and did too much.

Wow - thanks for the advice.  I have been anxious to get going and really wanted to head back to work.  I've been trying to go on a few different outing mainly because I'm lonely.  We live in the country - no neighbours - no place to walk to, so each outing involves a trip in the car and I'm finding getting in and out a little dumbersome.  Guess I will bump up the protein (maybe add a few shakes), cut out the salt, and lay still again for a while.
L.

Aww that sucks L!  I wish I could have seen you at the surgeons office, I was in at 8:30 for my weekly appointment (wound check). Maybe watch the salt intake too if you can? Hope you don't have to go through that again!

Doh, I should have thought of that salt thing - well too late for tonight, but will start again tomorrow and no salt.
I just sent an email to Dr. S because I now look like I have a little nerf football inside my tummy.  Going to take it easy for the rest of the night.
My next appointment is next Thursday at 8:30 - how about you?
L.