what does a seroma sound like?

I am 6 weeks post op from a Panniculectomy and still have my two drains in. They are getting close to the 30 cc per drain but not quite there. I had some swelling on my belly on the right side and today I started to squeeze the area and I heard noise like liquid was swirling in there, could this be an area where fluid is collecting and it has no way out? Is this a seroma and should it get aspirated? I have my 6 week follow up tomorrow and will ask my surgeon. I do value the opinion from all of you on the forum and would like to hear your thoughts.

Thanks
 

Mine is like that. It's like a waterbed.  You can hear the swish.  My plastic surgeon says it can reabsorp in 3 months or it can be aspriated.  My PCP says it's best we wait and see what happens.  No signs of infection and it's not painful unless I am really swollen after being out all day.

The "waterbed" is the giveaway that it's a seroma.  Small ones may absorb, larger ones usually need to be aspirated.

Let us know what your doc says.

Hi Dr Lomonaco, I will keep you posted, what do you consider a large seroma? I also noticed that this morning the drainage on the right side which is were the seroma is located, started draining fluids that were very different in color, more red than serum looking, could this be part of a hematoma braking loose? I am six weeks out from my panniculectomy and still draining between 35 and 45cc.. How long do you wait for it to be absorbed before you decide to drain it?

Thanks for your feedback
 

I forgot to ask you one more questions, does aspiration of a seroma pse infection or any other risks?
 

Well...I cant really give you that kind of detailed advice without seeing you.  Your doc is really the one to answer that.  Draining them does pose a small risk of infection, and again that risk, along with the benefits of the aspiration, need to be discussed with your doc.

Thanks Dr. L. I had my appointment today and one of my drains came out,  the other stayed in and the surgeon would like to see it stay in until I get to below 40cc. I actually don't have a seroma, what I found out was that as I was pushing on my belly I was shaking the drains which had fluid and were swirling around, the surgeon thought that the area that is hard was perhaps fat build up and it could soften over time. All and all the visit went well. The drain removal was a non event. As always, thanks for your response.

Have a good evening  

Do you wear a binder?  Just wonder if it is forming while a binder is being worn.

yes I do, I wear it all the time except for when I shower