40 days post op, How Long Will a Seroma Last After Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?

Patients undergoing a tummy tuck procedure are often some of the happiest people I see in my clinic in Foster City, California.  There are some risks and potential complications with tummy tucks though and seromas are probably the most common complication.  In fact, I don't even consider a seroma a complication, they are more of a nuisance.  A seroma is a fluid collection that occurs typically once the surgical drains are removed.  Now that the body doesn't have the drains to rely on to rid of the post operative surgical fluid, in about 15% of the cases, fluid can build under the tummy tuck flap.  There are different ways to handle the fluid.  Most commonly, I will have my patients come back to the office about every three days to assess for seromas.  If I do encounter a collection, I will drain it with a syringe as your surgeon is doing with you.  If I have a patient who lives further away from the office, I may change to a different type of drain that requires placement into the fluid collection via a small incision within the tummy tuck scar.  This drain will then allow all fluid to leak out onto some gauze that can be changed as needed, its called a Penrose drain.  With this technique, I have cured everyone who has a longer standing fluid collection.  Typically, a detectable fluid collection will eventually resolve within 3-6 weeks provided the surgeon is aware of the situation and is providing the necessary treatment.  Hope this helps!!

Hi @Ludmila Thanks for the question and congratulations on your Tummy Tuck!
A Seroma is a collection of clear fluid produced by the body and is a commonly reported and temporary / easy to fix hiccup after a tummy tuck. I usually place drains to prevent this. It can still develop occasionally and is not usually a problem. 
Typically your surgeon can remove the fluid through a painless procedure called aspiration. 
Goodluck!
Dr. Chopra

The complication of a seroma is the most common complication after the surgery.  I normally keep my drains in place for 1-2 weeks to avoid seromas.  When these do form I drain the seroma in the same way your doctor is draining.  If the fluid is less than 25 cc I would expect the body to absorb the fluid.