I had an immediate DIEP recon in July and was home in 5 days on the same day as having the second of the abdominal drains removed. Having had a beautiful flat stomach with the drains in, I was disappointed when the right side of my tummy developed a seroma (the side where the second drain was) 5 days later. The dressing nurses and registrars were unexcited by it and it wasn't until I saw my PS back at 7 weeks post op that he said he wanted to get rid of that to avoid it becoming encapsulated. There was no evidence of infection. He drained it (120ml) and 2 weeks later it had recurred a bit smaller (85ml), but he said he would try once more and then put steroid in if it recurred again. 2 weeks after that - 60ml out and 80mg of steroid in. This was early October and now I have no seroma and no more treatment required until nipple recon in March. A friend (different hosp and PS) had an LD flap and a seroma which was just drained over and over again, so I think it depends on your PS. I have some medical knowledge and I cannot see the point in draining it repeatedly, particularly if it's not getting any smaller, as your body will just keep putting the fluid there. Perhaps ask whether having steroid infused in is an option to your PS. Of course, if there is infection then they would not want to put steroid in, as it can make infections a LOT worse, but if your infection has cleared, it might be worth considering?
The underside, outer quadrant of my new breast goes hard and soft at different times. My PS says that it is just fluid accumulating, not a sign of bruising or bleeding or anything. It seems to fluctuate from day to day. Could yours be the same?
Hope things improve.
All the best x
