seromas

I had my last drain out two weeks ago and late last week I had an ultrasound and was diagnose with two seromas in my left and right abdomen above the incision. The left side is 5.9x2.0x7.4cm and the right is 10.0x3.0x2.3cm, they stated that the have not been encapsulated meaning they have not formed a membrane around them.The radiologist and PS decided to see if with the use of the binder and decrease in  activity they would absorb themselves and the tissue reattach. They are concerned about the risk of introducing infection when they drain them. Im my hospital the surgeon will have interventional radiology do the draining under guided ultrasound. The options besides draining is reinserting drains, I hear on this website about folks getting drain multiple times, I would like to know what you all have done to address seromas and what has been successful. I am very concerned about infection of these seromas since I hear that this could be a major issue.

Any feedback suggestions are greatly appreciated. I would also like some input on what level of activity I should follow to help in getting read of this fluid, I gave up golf because I can see how that can affect the healing of the layer of abdominal wall were the seromas are present, I will avoid any heavy leafitng or heavy abdominal work but I am walking lot' since I am on vacation.


Thanks for your feedback

 
 

*hijacking thread*

Unfortunately I don't have any information on your original question as I haven't had my surgery, yet.  I am interested, however, in your comment regarding giving up golf.  How long did you wait until you started golfing again?  I can certainly understand why you would give it up now that the Seromas are present. 

I've been curious as to how long I will need to wait before I could golf again. I'm thinking minimum a few months.  It makes sense to me to wait that long considering all the abdominal work that we use when golf.

Anywho - hope all goes well with you and I pray for a speedy resolution for your issues.

Cheers!
Tisha

Hi Tisha, at my last doctors visit in which my last drain was pulled, I was told I coul return to any activity, that was about 8 weeks post op, I feel that that was to soon, I would suggest you wait at least 4 to 6 months. Good luck on your surgery
 

Hi

I had a tummy tuck with muscle tightening on 12/28/2009.  It was outpt. I left with 2 drains, 1 on each side. The following week, my stitches were leaking.  The left side of my stomach was much more swollen than the right and you could feel where the fluid was, as opposed to the right side which was very tight. My surgeon stated that I had a seroma. He scheduled me to to go back into surgery. He reopened the stitch line and reinserted 1 drain. After that drain was removed, the leaking  began again. Since it was mostly on the left side in the front he attempted to drain the sight in the office. After several attempts with a long needle, he got no fluid, so in the office he opened up 2 seperate areas (about 1 1/2 inch). he packed the area, gave me packing material and gave me more antibiotic (which I chose not to take). Opening those areas and letting them heal from inside out, seemed to help. The new drain area and those 'seroma" areas are now almost completely closed. The swelling is still oddly isolated to the left side but you cant feel the fluid build up and there is no leaking. I alternate between my own girdle and the support garment given at time of surgery. At my visit on yesterday, the surgeon stated that everything looked good and now I no longer see him weekly but my next appt is in 6 weeks.

I am so glad that is over. Now I can concentrate on getting my breast done.