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How Many Times Should I Expect to have a Seroma Drained Post Tummy Tuck?

asked 9 months ago by June Bug
Latest answer by Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD
Question viewed 712 times
Tags: drainage, seroma

I had a Tummy Tuck and ended up with a seroma, how long can it take to go away and how many times might it have to be drained?

12 answers to How Many Times Should I Expect to have a Seroma Drained Post Tummy Tuck?

Fluid collection after tummy tuck

Seromas are collections of fluid that can form under the skin after a tumm tuck. These may need to be drained in the office several times until the fluid amounts are quite low. If the fluid persists, occasionally a drain may need to be replaced and injected with a special solution to prevent fluid accumulation. Discuss this in detail with your plastic surgeon as each case is unique. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno

William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.williambrunomd.com

In rare cases several times

A seroma is an accumulation of fluid under the skin that can occur after various kinds of plastic surgery. Seromas can interefere with healing of surgical site and may require drainage. Small seromas often dissolve on their own, however larger one may need to be drained with the needle and syringe to avoid problems. However, if precautions are taken, such as placement of the drains and compression graments seromas occur very rarely. In very rare situtations drainage... more

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

How Many Times Should I Expect to have a Seroma Drained Post Tummy Tuck?

If you are having aspiration of this seroma more than 3 times in a 10 day time frame. Than I recommend re insertion of a drain to closed suction system. As long as fluid is accumulating than the healing will be delayed.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Seroma post tummy tuck

Seromas do occur post operatively that is why drains are left in place. sometimes after removal of the drain, fluid recurs, sometimes due to activity level. will it recur and how many times will it need to be drained is difficult to answer. it depends on the amount of fluid obtained with the aspiration, and how it does over the next week or so. was the fluid normal appearing or did it have signs of infection. Follow your surgeons advice, compression garment, limited activity, taking your... more

Rick Rosen, MD
Norwalk Plastic Surgeon

Number of aspirations Variable

The number of times aspiration is necessary to eradicate a seroma is variable, depending on the amount of fluid produced and the completeness of aspiration. My general rules are to aspirate 3-5 times and if this does not resolve the issue, return to the OR for placement of a drain. Other options include the injection of a sclerosing agent to obliterate the cavity. I also recommend decreasing activity and wearing of the garment until the seroma is resolved. Good Luck! more

Brian Klink, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

www.solanoplasticsurgery.com

Aspirations after tummy tuck surgery

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Seromas are a very frequent result of performing tummy tucks, and the more liposuction is combined with the tummy tuck the more likely it is to develop a seroma. The proper treatment is to drain the seroma every other day or so, hoping to diminish the volume of fluid removed each time. Once the volime is less than 25cc., the remaing fluid should absorb without further aspirations. It may be a good idea to be sure... more

Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Seroma after a Tummy Tuck

Sorry to hear you have a seroma, although they are common after the tummy tuck procedure, they are also frustrating for patients to keep having their seroma drained. The amount of times you have to have it drained varies. It essentially has to do with how much fluid you have built up. If the drainage continues, your surgeon may suggest for you to go in the OR and have a new drain put in. My recommendation for you to limit your activity level and wear your compression garment until... more

Siamak Agha, MD, PhD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Questions on seromas following a tummy tuck

How many times a seroma following a tummy tuck may need to be aspirated and how long it will take to resolve are dependent on multiple factors and, therefore, unpredictable. It is my philosophy to aspirate at least twice per week. Some patients may require just a few aspirations of the fluid over a week; some can require multiple aspirations over several weeks. If it appears that there is not a pattern of decreasing amount of fluid aspirated over a period of time, then (re)insertion of a... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

The Common Occurrence Of Seromas After Tummy Tucks

Once you have developed a seroma after a tummy tuck, it is rare to just have to drain it one time. Usually it will take around four or more weekly aspirations (taps) until fluid no longer accumulates. Fortunately this is not a surgical problem and is a nuisance that is easily dealt with in a quick office procedure. While you are in the seroma phase, do not do heavy exercise or walk extended amounts as this causes more fluid to build up. Also wear your compression binder until the seroma no... more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Seroma after tummy tuck

Can require 3-5 aspirations over several weeks wear compression discuss having a new drain placed if it persists

Jed H. Horowitz, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Seroma after tummy tuck

We have come to believe that seroma, or fluid collections, after tummy tuck can be avoided and now we seldom use a drain. When a seroma does occur it can take three or more office aspirations, longer rest, and longer compression to get the situation resolved. With care they all get better, though the seroma is frustrating for both surgeon and patient. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Seroma after tummy tuck

Thank you for the question. Unfortunately, there is no knowing exactly how many aspiration sessions will be necessary before the seroma does not recur. Most of the time however somewhere between 2 and 5 sessions are required. It may be helpful to apply a “soft” pressure dressing over the area of fluid accumulation and to limit strenuous activity during this time. Another piece of advice (that may not apply to you specifically) for patients recovering... more