Hi,
Sorry that she is having complications but if there is no infection then she should be ok...I often had fluid build up under my incisions, sometimes they popped open (they were sutured closed) and sometimes they took a few weeks to reabsorb...no idea why it happened and no idea why it stopped ...it is just was. If there is no redness, pus, fever, wound weeping, flu-like symptoms or pain then it should be ok but if she starts to have any of the above mentioned symptoms then call your doctor.
Sharon

Thank you Sharon.
After her surgery in May her incision was actually infected and required it to be reopened and a wound vac.

The nurse just called and said the fluid tested from yesterdays drainage was negative and she has no symptoms of infection. She is going to try to get an answer from dr.

It's almost like a blister kinda thing, fluid building up behind there. The surgeon did say yesterday that the body would eventually reabsorb it, but she worries since what happened last time.

Plus she is leaving to go back to her PhD program tomorrow in Chicago.

Thank you again.

If there is no infection then she is fine to go back...she just has to watch it carefully and avoid physically stressing the zone...(no surfboards or bodyboards please!)...I litterally popped one open 8weeks post op by laying on a body board and floating in the sea...it never occured to me that the pressure would pop it, I am dumb that way.
It ususally feels like a hard oval of round lump under the scar and it will slowly get smaller...she only needs to keep a vigilant eye on it and let her doc know if it is still growing or changing.
Sharon

This is a seroma, pretty common complication, but fairly benign. It is caused by a pocket that does not collapse right away, usually due to some bleeding between tissues.

I had this after 3 of 3 surgeries (c-section, j-pouch, hernia repair). The last time, I had to have needle aspiration drainage 3 or 4 times. Eventually, the pocket stayed collapsed.

Jan

Jan

Thank you Jan. When the surgeon drained it last week, when it was the size of 2 eggs, it had blood tinged fluid in it like when it was left to drain. Now it is much smaller, like a smashed marshmallow and the GI dr saw her yesterday for follow up and said it was okay.

Thank you!