Seroma

[copycat]

I had surgery to repair a femoral hernia two weeks ago and have developed a large seroma in my groin. It is very unsightly

After a visit to A&E last weekend I have managed to arrange a surgical outpatient appointment on Friday to probably have it drained. From what I have read, after draining, there seems to be a fairly high incidence of immediate recurrence/re-filling.

Can anyone share their experience of seroma draining. Mine is the approximate size of a lemon I am due back to work on Monday and have a beach holiday booked in 4 weeks time

Thank you.

They will make a tiny incision or stick a needle in and drain off the fluid, it is pretty much painless in my experience. Chances are it will swell back up again and there is also a small risk of introducing bugs/infections when they break the skin to drain it off.

Watch out for the area being very red/hot/painful as that is a sign of infection also.

Thank you very much for replying LTL. I will be very unhappy if the seroma does swell up again but, unfortunately, it does seem common for this to happen

Thanks again for your advice.

I had two after a tumour was removed. I was told option to stop it refilling was either putting a drain in (which I had for about a week) or a sort of vacuum sponge thing that fits to a pump you carry in a little bag. This needs to be fitted and I think removed under a general anaesthetic but does have best success rate.