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Evan Sorokin, M.D. answers: How long will a seroma last after tummy tuck and liposuction?

I had tummy tuck surgery combined with liposuction 40 days ago, and although I am pleased with how I look as I have got my body back to what it used to be, I have also developed a seroma.

One week after surgery my doctor determined I had a seroma and for the two weeks following he has been taking this fluid away by syringe every day. It has now been three weeks since he took the last syringe of fluid and my doctor has now advised me that my body will remove the small amount of remaining fluid itself.

It's now been six weeks since my surgery and although I feel well I am still worried that there may be some remaining fluid, which could be harmful to me. Can anyone tell me how long a seroma should last and how I should examine myself to ensure there is no remaining fluid?

Evan Sorokin, MD
17 months ago

Seromas occur fairly commonly after abdominoplasty and are usually treated just as your doctor did. The can either be drained with a needle over and over until they go away or a drain can be placed. The very small amount of fluid that your doctor told you would resolve should absorb rather quickly. Occasionally a seroma can be persistent and require other procedures to remove them. 40 days is certainly not in the "unresolving" category. If it does not continue to improve an ultrasound can be done to assess how much, if any, fluid is still present. I would continue to see your doc frequently to keep an eye on this issue. As long as the fluid is not infected (and most seromas are not) it should not be harmful.

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