Forum Discussion

lmonardo's avatar
lmonardo
Member
7 years ago

Encapsulated seroma

I had a tram with immediate recon in Dec 2012. In May this year, I had to have the mesh repaired and now have an encapsulated seroma that needs surgical removal. Has anyone any experience with this? I mentioned concerns months ago to the surgeon and she was dismissive. Told me the swelling was nothing give my body time to heal. Well.... I did and it didn't. I'm concerned that more surgery is going to lead to more problems.

I also would like to get a second opinion. Does anyone know a good Plastic Surgeon in Sydney? 
seroma
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    7 years ago
    Not as far as I know! My surgeon opened the original mastectomy scar and gave me what he described as as 'a good scrub out' and closed along the same! I healed very fast from the mastectomy and from the second surgery with no complications (apart of course from the seroma after the first surgery!). Problem with a lot of fluid is that it's a nice warm nutritious bath for bacteria (internal ones we all have) and mine had been cooking away for some time. I was also truly over the sloshing noise when I bent over. However, as noted, i had no reconstruction so my mastectomy scar was long but relatively uncomplicated. 
  • lmonardo's avatar
    lmonardo
    Member
    7 years ago
    Thank you so much for the feedback Afraser. I'm so glad you had a good outcome.... Gives me hope! Did you have quilting stitches to close the seroma? 
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    7 years ago
    I didn't have an encapsulated seroma but I had a very large one, lasted 12 months, developed a seroma within the seroma and required surgery to finally clear our (after a severe infection). They are a thorough pain, largely caused by your body going into overdrive to heal and, annoying as it may be, giving it time to disperse is the standard response. I found massage helped a lot but got onto it a bit too late to stop (another) infection. My surgeon was very honest about the dilemma - treat with heavy duty antibiotics, which was done and still risk a recurrence or go to surgery with its own risk of infection. Surgery turned out to be the right answer for me - no seroma, no return of fluid, no more infections - but a second opinion is always worthwhile and I had no reconstruction to think about. Can't help with a surgeon as I am in Melbourne but best wishes, it will be good to have all this behind you, whatever course of action you decide on.