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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?

Asked 40 months ago by Ludmila in Poland

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seroma side effects

+10

A seroma is mainly a nuisance and not dangerous

A seroma is not rare after a tummy tuck. In fact, it is the most common complication in some series (10%). In order to minimize these numbers, it is always best to leave a drain in you for long enough until the output is less than 25cc per day. This usually takes 7-10 days after surgery and longer in patients who have had massive weight loss. Doing this, I haven't had to drain a seroma in the last three years. Seromas are harmless and won't alter your result as long as they don't get... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Seroma duration

Thanks for the question. Seromas are a common problem after tummy tuck. Drains that are typically placed at the time of the surgery help reduce the amount of seroma. Even in abdomens that look flat after abdominoplasty there is typically some amount of fluid under the flaps. When this fluid is palpable or visible then it can be treated through aspiration. Typically as your body heals less fluid will be recruited into the area and your lymphatics regenerate. Small seromas can be... more

Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

This is a common problem

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... more

Evan Sorokin, MD

Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Seroma after abdominoplasty

As other physicians have said here, seromas or not uncommon after surgery. Those of us with low rates of postoperative seromas usually leave drains in following abdominal surgery for a longer period of time. Once a seroma forms, percutaneous aspiration is the usual therapy as you've described. It is also true that your body contributes to seroma resolution by absorbing the fluid over time. Sometimes chronic seromas can form where the wall of the seroma becomes thicker and better... more

Adam David Lowenstein, MD

Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Seroma after Surgery

Your surgeon did a great job of diagnosis and treatment. Tapping a seroma aggressively is the only way to keep the tissues from contracting and forming a ridge at the scar. Once your tapped volume is around 10 cc your surgeon will be able to stop the process. We are pleased when patients have good results. you will be just fine.

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Charles Virden, MD

Reno Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Seromas after tummy tuck

Seromas can happen with tummy tucks and more so whent hey are combined with liposuction. They usually "burn out" so to speak after repeated aspirations. I usually have my patients wear compression for several weeks to months if they develop a seroma after the repeated aspirations. Just go on for periodic check-ups to your doctor.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Seroma after tummy tuck

Seroma after tummy tuck and liposuction is common, more common with the combination surgery. Drains are used to remove the fluid and kept till the daily output is 25-30cc for two consecetive days. Then the drains are removed. Recurrent seroma can be aspirated, but if it continues to accumolate a drain may need to be inserted. The risks of aspiration and drains is infection.

Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Duration of a Seroma after Tummy Tuck and Liposuction Surgery

Seroma is the most common complication to occur after tummy tuck surgery. It is not a serious complication and is usually prevented by the placement of drains during the surgical procedure. The drains are removed when the drainage is less than 25cc for a 24hr period of time. The small amount of serous fluid that accumulates after this will be absorbed by the body. Even with the placement of drains a seroma may develop. It is treated with serial aspiration just as your... more

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Rondi Kathleen Walker, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Seroma after a tummy tuck

The seroma is not a dangerous problem for you. In most cases, the seroma fluid will absorb over time. If the amount left is small, I prefer to allow it to absorb on its own as every time you use a needle to aspirate the fluid, you can cause bleeding. Having said that, if it is still a larger amount a repeat aspiration is likely worthwhile.

Julio Garcia, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Seromas after abdominoplasty surgery

Aspiration of a seroma once it is seen is the correct procedure to be following. I think your Plastic Surgeon is following you properly. A small remaining seroma may take several weeks to resolve, possibly as long as a month or two, but I want to add one note of caution- if a seroma remains for too long of a time it will form a bursa or sac around it( a sac or bursa is made of scar tissue just like the capsule of scar that surrounds a breast implant). If this were to occur,... more

Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tummy Tuck Seromas

Yes seromas are not uncommon after tummy tuck and are best treated by repeated aspirations as your surgeon has done. A small seroma of less than ten cc may be difficult to aspirate and will resolve without problems and is not a danger for you. Sometimes ultrasound can be used to find and aspirate an difficult seroma. If a seroma persists for many months then replacement of a drain or surgical excision of the seroma cavity may be indicated. Stick with you surgeon and he will get you... more

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Richard Linderman, MD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Seroma after tummy tuck

Seromas are a common complication after tummy tuck surgery, especially when it is combined with liposuction. They can be annoying but are not dangerous unless they become infected. The usual treatment is repeated aspiration, and most of them eventually go away. You should continue to wear your compression garment and see your doctor regularly, especially if you are worried that the fluid has come back.

B. Aviva Preminger, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

Seroma can last up to six weeks or more

Postoperative seromas following a tummy tuck is not unusual. However, I usually place a drain underneath the abdominal skin and fat following surgery which usually adequately prevents any post op seroma. The drain is kept for one week and then removed. If a seroma persists for more than six weeks after surgery, and is significant in size, it might need to be surgically drained and another drain inserted. Small seromas should resolve spontaneously. Whether... more

James Tang, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Seroma is prolonged after tummy tuck

Once a seroma develops, it should generally be treated until it resolves. This can take a weeks or sometimes several months in certail individuals. The scar tissue that forms around a seroma can also be very tight and because of the delay in healing due to the fluid, it can delay healing in this area and remain firm when the rest of your abdomen feels healed and soft. Generally aspeaking, it does resolve and slowly return to normal. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Small seroma is not dangerous after tummy tuck.

The body will eventually resorb small seromas after an abdominoplasty. Larger ones benefit from serial aspiration as you surgeon properly did. A small amount of residual fluid is nothing to worry about.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Seroma management after a tummy tuck

A tummy tuck with liposuction is an excellent combination for recontouring your abdomen. Unfortunately, a seroma is a possible risk for this procedure. If you develop a collection, your plastic surgeon will likely drain this collection with a needle and syringe. To prevent the reaccumulation of fluid, it is essential to use a tight compression garment over the area. This will help collapse this cavity and prevent further fluid from collecting there. In some situations, the seroma may... more

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B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Seromas and Tummy Tuck Surgery

Seromas are a common complication of Tummy Tuck surgery. As long as the elevated skin/fat component has not completely adhered to the underlying muscle surface, the body continues to produce a varying amount of fluid. Most of the fluid IS absorbed by the body but when the ability of the body to absorb the fluid is slowed or over-passed fluid collections (Seromas) form and need to be drained. The drainage is done BOTH to allow the surfaces to stay in contact and stick together and to prevent... more