Anyone have a seroma before?

[funky-rat]

I just had an umbilical hernia repaired.  I felt great the day of the op, and the first post-op day.  On the 2nd day, I ended up in the hospital with severe dehydration.  I took a whole bag of fluid.

While there, the ER doctor squeezed a sore lump in my stomach I hadn't noticed before, about 2-2 1/2" directly above where the lump had been in my navel (navel was removed during surgery).  It's a fairly good sized lump (about baseball sized) and is more pronounced when I stand up.  If you feel it when I'm standing, it's hard.  It gets a little softer upon sitting.  I called the doctors office, but can't get in until Thursday.  The nurse thinks I may have a Seroma.  The ER doctor wasn't concerned about the lump or tenderness when I asked her on Sunday.

I'm scared to death that it's another hernia.  I am considered morbidly obese, but am losing weight through diet and excerscise.  Any thoughts to calm me before I can get in to the doctor?

[ShawnP]

I had a seroma post operatively after having a laporotomy oopherectomy.  It too was about 2 inches from my belly button, however it was quite painful.  My doctor had to reopen me and apply sterile packing within the wound to let it drain for about a month.  It is important to have the fluid drain to prevent further swelling and other complications.  I also was getting an infection from it as well and was put on antibiotics.  It looks and sounds worse than it was, however you really should consult the original surgeon, from what I understand they are quite common after abdominal surgery.  Let us know how it goes!

[peekawho]

I've had seromas with both my mastectomies.  The first time, a tight compression bandage allowed the fluid to gradually reabsorb over a couple weeks time.

The second time, compression didn't help and I had to have a drain put in.

Don't squeeze the lump.  If it's not red or increasing in size or causing you increasing pain, it's probably ok to wait til Thurs to see your doctor.  But if it gets worse, call the doctor on call (every doctor has a covering doc, call the office # and you will find instructions on how to contact them, even after hours or holidays) and ask the covering MD what to do.  Sometimes they can give you excellent advice over the phone and save you the trip to the ER.


Best of luck.  

[lizziecee]

I had a large seroma in the top of my back after total axillary removal of lymph nodes after a lumpectomy for breast cancer. It filled up every 2 days and was so painful I could not even sit down with my back against a chair. It was aspirated at the hospital (GP refused to do it) by either the surgeon, or his bc specialist nurse who was trained in how to do it. It took maybe 3-4 weeks for it all to be drained, and everything is fine now.

[funky-rat]

Thanks for the info, everyone.  I saw the doctor's partner last Thursday, and my doctor on Tuesday.  They were both in agreement that it's a seroma.  I was so scared it was a ventral hernia.  I was scheduled for a follow up in one month to check it.  The doctor said he doesn't like to aspirate them until he's sure they're not going on their own as they tend to refill.

It's no longer tender (hasn't been since early last week) and is not red or anything.  It's also no longer hard - again since early last week.

I am pleased to report this morning that it is flatter by a fairly noticible bit, which makes me happy.  Hopefully it will go away by my next appointment.

Again, thanks for the info!

[const]

hi i am a 40 year old male who just two weeks ago head a hernia repair done by laparoscopic surgery.  3 days after surgery a bulge came back in the same area where the hernia was . i called the surgen and he said it was all normal .  a few days later it got bigger so i went to see his partner he was not in , he said to wait 2 weeks. 3 days later again getting bigger went to see the doctor who did the surgery he said its not a hernia but it is a seroma and might take 3 to 4 months for the body to asrb the fluids. can anybody help me and let me know if this is true and what i should do becouse it really hurts bad. thank you

[Captduck]

I had an umbilical and two inguinal hernias repaired 15 days ago. The two inguinal were done with laparoscopy and the umbilical was done the old way. Mesh was inserted and sewn under the muscle of all the hernias.
I had to wait 11 days for the follow-up due to Christmas Holidays and I had noticed some bulging in my naval where the hernia had been. It wasn't protruding quite as bad as the hernias had.  If I pressed on it using moderate pressure for about 20-30 seconds it would go down but come back in a few minutes.
At the 11 day followup - I asked the Dr about it and he said it was just fluid filling the space between the skin and the mesh.  He said it wasn't a problem and didn't need another appointment unless I has some problems later.  I forgot to ask if it would go away ( I was assuming it would) but I wish I had asked.
Has anyone had a similar experience?  Does this go away on it's own?
Thanks.

[sillyvixen]

i had an iscisional hernia repair 6 months ago and ended up with a seroma bigger than the hernia - it took 4 months to subside - yes it happens.... but gets better given time.

[bl00dieknuckles]

I had a c-section a little over a week ago and felt increasing pain and pressure at my incision site. I called the doctor on call for my obgyn and she met me at the labor and delivery department of our hospital. Come to find out, it was a seroma. She had to re-open part of my stiches and drained it. It really did hurt at first, but it was almost immediate relief. I am very tender and sore still, but feel a lot better then I did two days ago. Definitely have it checked out asap and Good Luck!

[mandamoomin]

I recently had a major incisional hernia repair (from top to bottom of my tummy)  following diverticular peritonitis (colon ruptured) and having a colostomy.  Now have a huge seroma over all my tummy and am trying to deal with conflicting  opinions as to whether it should be drained or left alone.  Some professionals say it should be drained, and will need to be drained 2 or 3 times, others say it should be left alone as any germ introduced could cause a major problem in my abdomen.  Anyone out there having the same experience, I desperately need some advice or information to help me to make a decision.  I do not know where to turn for any help. Thank you.

[sillyvixen]

sorry you are suffering in this way, my incison following incisional hernia repair was 7 inches and the resulting seroma was the size of half a medium melon!! as i have already posted it took 4 months for the fluid to dissipate - it was uncomfortable and did limit my choices of clothing - i was on lite duties at work for 6 months but would have been anyway. as your seroma is bigger it is likely to take longer to resolve. i am supprised they would not drain my seroma - although it was no worse than walking round with the hernia i had had for over 12 months. if it is so big that it is affecting your life then maybe draining it is the way forward - it will reduce the pressure and make things more comfortable and may need further draining as  the fluid builds up again - it is supprising how hard they get when the pressure builds up!!
good luck and let us know how you get on.