Look I know i'm going to get a load of abuse for posting this, but i'm going to write this anyway as a source of information for others. Who may choose to ignore this or not, it's up to you.
O.K firstly boring basic facts... before we get to the exciting part!
For those who have just had surgery and have any fluid build up. This fluid build up is called a 'seroma', a collection of serum (also known as lymph fluid). And it will often occur as a result of tissue damage from lipo, and / or is the bodies natural way to fill the cavity, left from the removal of the gland or fat tissue.
It's generally a bad thing... because although it's completely sterile, and will eventually be absorbed by your body... it has a high risk of turning into hard fibrous scar tissue.
I had a minor 'seroma' fluid build up. So my p.s didn't think it was worth draining off.
But I felt differently, but I didn't want to argue, or be bothered to go back to the hospital.
So here it is guys, Gruff's 'Do It Yourself' guide to removing post op "seroma" build up fluid
1. Go to the pharmacy. Buy some alcohol prep pads and a collection of needles and syringes.
2. I used an average 'blue pin' sized needle (about 3cm long) and about double the thickness of an insulin needle. With a 12cc plunger.
3. Alcohol wipe the area around the fluid build up.
4. I popped the needle in with the plunger fully in. The depth i found best for me was just maybe 0.5cm to 1cm below the skins surface. At about a 45 degree angle, so really just below the surface of the skin.
5. I pulled back and filled the syringe with the full capacity of the 12cc plunger in about 10 seconds, nice and slowly and with zero difficulty. And watched my nipple instantly go from puffy to a little inverted. I felt I could have got a little more out, but the 12cc for me had a major appearance effect and seemed plenty. The fluid was a slightly reddish yellow color.
6. I alcohol swabbed the area where the needle went in.
7. Held a bandage swab thingy on the site tightly for a minute.
8. Put a sterile bandage 10 x 10cm over the area.
9. Wrapped the compression bandages back around straight away and as tightly as possible to reduce the risk of further fluid taking it's place.
10. Sat back, totally amazed at how simple it was. I have feeling in my nipples already, yet the whole process caused zero pain. I still cannot believe how easy it was to do.
O.K there you go. Oh and as far as making any comparisons go as to the simplicity of the whole thing... Well firstly I should say, my gyne was originally from the usual puberty thing, made much worse from using steroids back about 7 or 8 years ago now. Now I can honestly say draining off this fluid, was a heck of a lot easier than any intra muscular steroid injection I ever gave myself.
Gruff
P.S cant wait to check it out tomorrow!!! But I think i should keep the bandages on very tight for at least 12 hours before sneaking a peek!