Seroma?

No, you did not cause it.  It happens because the fluid that normally the jp drain collects in pockets under the skin.  When you had your drains removed, did you happen to watch them come out?  The tubes that goes under your skin has a series of holes along the tube; working on a suction principle (which is why you squeeze the bulbs before you close them), the fluid is pulled into the tube and eventually down to the drain. 

When you have a procedure that is going to produce a lot of fluid, you have drains put in to minimize the seromas; which is why they have you track how much output you're getting out of the drains.

Regardless of how you clean yourself, seromas can happen.   

Thnaks, i thought maybe i did something wrong. I finay called the office back, they said if I am n no pain or discomfort continue wearing my binder and not to worry. She will see me on friday. So I guess that is what I will do. I will keep u posted. What did the PS say about yours?

He wasn't in (in surgery on Tuesdays) but his nurse said that he'd probably want to see me on Thursday instead of Monday, so she changed my pre-op appointment.  

I checked it when I got home and it didn't really seem to develop a lot of fluid since this morning so it's probably very minor but I'd rather have him take a look at it since I'm having surgery again.

Mine is huge, there is a ton of fluid in there. Still hasnt come out anywhere and I was told by my PS that if I wasnt in any pain that she would see me on Friday. I have to tell you this is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen.

 My PS told me this is the most common side-effect of an abdominoplasty.  And that it happens FAR more often in someone who has had WLS.  He doesn't know why, but is working with some colleagues to research this.  He thinks it has something to do with proteins in our blood or something.

From my understanding seromas can be 3 levels - the kind that drains/reabsorbs in its own, the kind that needs to be aspirated (sometimes repeated) and the kind that needs surgical removal.  From what I understand they can sometimes become "encapsulated" and need to be removed or something like that...

Let us know what he says!

I have been in tears all day, i am scared to death, From my bellu button to my pubic area is nothing but mu**** just sloshes around. Now I have seen people say of hard spots, I dont have that. It is clearly liquid that is storing in there from after the drains were taken out. It is a gross feeling and looks to be a TON of fluid. My mons (i think thats what you call it) is all swollen on the top and it wasnt before. If i push in on it my stomach moves like a water balloon. It is freaking me out. I explained this to the PS office and ws told that It could wait until Friday. I cant imagine that my body could absorb that much fluid.

 Well I haven't experienced it (yet - eek!), but I'm sure it is disturbing!! A good friend of mine had this and had it aspirated quite a few times.  Maybe she'll come on here and share her experience!  They thought they  might have to do surgery I think, but she avoided that.  She didn't say the aspiration hurt...but I remember her talking about looking pregnant from all the fluid in her belly.

If you feel that bad about it - you should call the PS again tomorrow.  You paid for your surgery, right?  They need to care for you.  My friend got seen the next day each time it bothered her - either by her PS or at the emergency room to be drained.

MY PS warned me that the more aggressive your movement, over doing activity will increase the problem.  Basically I was told to put my feet up, relax, and keep the compression garment/binder on.  Fortunately....I did what I was told...and no issue.  He said that the layers of tissue rub together and that causes the fluid to accumulate...I had my 6 week check up today....and he removed all restictions, but warned that swelling might increase with activity. 

I wear my binder 24/7 and have done what i was told. I havent been lifting and was not told that I couldnt bend or anything like that. I was alos told to walk. I was NEVER even informed that this could or would happen. I believe I still had to much out-put from my drain when it was removed. I even called to let them know i was still at 40cc and that maybe I should reschedule for the following week and was told no to just come in and see the PS. She acted like it had been in long enough and that 40cc was close enough. I was very aprehensive about it. i have never had drains before and trusted she knew best, right?