Air pocket beneath the skin after surgery?

[Rav86]

After having liposuction and excision of the glands to treat gynecomastia, is it normal to have small pockets of air beneath the skin in certain areas?
I had surgery a week ago and I've found a spot that sounds and feels like an air pocket beneath the surface of the skin when tapped/rubbed. It's a tiny area - maybe an inch wide.

Will it be absorbed/flattened out naturally by my body, or do I have to get it punctured and dealt with medically by my family doctor?

Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

During liposuction, it is inevitable that some air can get in under the skin.  This is not unusual and it is harmless -- the air will be absorbed by your body.  You need not have your family doctor stick a needle in and aspirate it.

Dr Jacobs

[Rav86]

That's what I had hoped. Thank you very much!

[DrBermant]

After having liposuction and excision of the glands to treat gynecomastia, is it normal to have small pockets of air beneath the skin in certain areas?
I had surgery a week ago and I've found a spot that sounds and feels like an air pocket beneath the surface of the skin when tapped/rubbed. It's a tiny area - maybe an inch wide.

Will it be absorbed/flattened out naturally by my body, or do I have to get it punctured and dealt with medically by my family doctor?

Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you.

Some air is always introduced during surgery that goes away on its own.  This absorption happens normally within a few hours with adequate Compression After Gynecomastia Surgery. Open wounds, air remaining for prolonged periods of time, or new air not there before (subcutaneous emphysema) can all be factors best checked with your doctor as soon as possible.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
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