Tummy tuck problem

[Carla]

I had a tummy tuck 10 days ago, and it feels like there's a waterbed in my belly. There's a bunch of fluid sloshing around and the doctor had to stick a needle in it to drain it, but it filled back up after 2 days. My doctor said it will go away on it's own, but my belly looks almost bigger than before I had the surgery?
Has anyone else had this problem? Does it go away? How long will it take? Are there any tricks to make it go away faster?

[danya]

You have a seroma in your abdomen which is a common complication of tummy tuck surgery. A seroma is a fluid collection, similar to the fluid that collects in a blister before it pops.
At this point, you may need to have it drained several times, but it is very important for you to maintain pressure on the area to prevent it from filling back up again. (I assume you had a drain in after surgery, but that it has been removed).
Your surgeon most likely gave you an abdominal binder.... use it all the time, and limit your activity. Any rubbing back and forth of the tissues will stimulate production of more fluid.
Don't worry... it will go away and your tummy will flatten out, probably within a week or so.
Danya

[Carla]

Thanks,Danya.
I did have the fluid drained again, and I wore the binder all the time and the seroma went away after about three days and it hasn't come back.
Thank you for your advice and reassurance.
carla