How long does it take a seroma to go down after being drained? Or should it have gone after the aspiration?

Seromas and swelling can be different things. You can drain a seroma and still have surrounding swelling. It can take a few weeks and a couple of aspirations for a seroma to resolve.

Thank you for your question.
A seroma can re-accumulate or the drainage could have been incomplete. If it was aspirated only a few days back, it could be just some residual swelling. Please discuss this with your Plastic Surgeon who can examine you and help you with all your concerns. All The Best !

Hello, Thank you for your question. Every patient is different when it comes to seroma's. The fluid itself can cause a large amount of swelling, but there is still fluid within the tissue from the surgery itself that will take time to go down from the surgery. Having the fluid drained should have reduced the pain associated with it and any pressure that the fluid was causing inside the breast cavity. It is always best to follow up with your plastic surgeon if you feel the fluid has returned after being drained, this is likely a sign that you are being too active.

Of course, this depends on the size of the seroma, but usually six weeks is an appropriate length of time to see what the final result will be.

Seroma aspiration can be a serial process. Occasionally, the first drainage will followed by a second albeit smaller drainage. This is ultimately a function of how large the collection is and how long it has been present. If the seroma is resistant to repeated drainage, it may require drain placement or operative revision with excision of the seroma capsule.With regards to your specific question, momentum is the key. A seroma which lessens with subsequent drainage attempts will likely resolve over time. It is difficult to predict how long this will take.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).Donovan Rosas MD
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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Seroma will go down immediately following aspiration however this is usually swelling in the tissues surrounding the seroma that can take more time to go down.   It is also common for seromas to recur following aspiration and for multiple aspirations to be necessary to fully alleviate the issue.   I generally see patients back one week after the aspiration in case they recur.

Seromas are not uncommon and generally not serious if managed appropriately.  Aspiration is a good start, as it will remove the fluid and will show your surgeon how large the seroma is.  Aspiration may be all that is needed, but may need to be repeated, especially if large in volume.  Smaller seromas will resolve with time and may not require repeated aspirations.  In my experience, large seromas, those that reaccumulate very quickly, or those that do not become smaller after each aspiration are best treated with a drain.  Discuss this with your surgeon.

Thank you for your question and sorry to hear about your problem.  Seromas after breast reductions are no infrequent and depending on the size, they might take more or less attention to resolve. After aspiration, I recommend rest and a supportive bra for about one week and then like to reassess my patient, to monitor the improvement and decide the best course of action. I would therefore advice you to keep in contact with your surgeon, rest and be patient. All the bestAndrea Marando

Eventually, a seroma will either be walled off or will be absorbed. I prefer to aspirate the fluid collection if they cause contour deformity right away.  They are usually reabsorbed into the body within a month, although this can take up to a year. Recommend that you follow your PS's protocol and have him/her continue to drain if necessary.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Hello, and thank you for your question. (Keep in mind that an in-person consultation is necessary for the best advice.) Treatment of seroma may require multiple aspirations. Be patient, and follow up with your plastic surgeon. Best of luck!
Matthew A. DelMauro, M.D.