DEAR DR. GOTT:
I had a mastectomy at the end of 2005. The drain was removed 30 days later. Following that, I developed a seroma. Subsequently, I had to have it drained about every three weeks. Then in March 2006 I had a pulmonary embolism and was put on warfarin. I was advised at that time I had to continue it indefinitely because of a personal history of superficial phlebitis and family history of related conditions.

To date I still have a seroma which must be drained once a month and now my surgeon wants to do another surgery to see what is wrong. Have you ever heard of this problem?

DEAR READER:
A seroma is simply a build-up of fluid that usually follows surgery, especially mastectomy (breast removal). In most cases it disappears on its own. Some seromas may need to be drained, occasionally more than once. [Read more...]