Aspirated seroma returns...What should I do?

Seromas can occur after any type of body contouring surgery including a thigh lift. A seroma is fluid naturally produced by the body that can fill a potential space. Potential spaces are produced in many body contouring surgeries. Seromas can typically be managed with needle aspiration. Recurrence after needle aspiration is common. Typically, several treatments may need to be done. Initially, these may be twice per week and then once per week until the seroma has completely resolved. Each time, the amount of fluid should be decreasing. You should continue to follow-up with your plastic surgeon until the seroma is resolved. If left untreated, the seroma capsule can become well formed and could require surgery to resolve it.

Thank you for your question. A seroma may need to be aspirated 1-5 times to remove enough fluid to allow healing to occur. They can occcur, and are not a sign something terrible is occuring. Just be sure to keep in constant contact with your surgeon. The problem is untreated seromas. I hope this helps!

I would revisit with your plastic surgeon to determine what your next up is in the management of your seroma. It would be a waste of time to go to the emergency department.

I would return to your plastic surgeon as soon as you can.  Seromas sometimes require placing a drain back into the cavity and can take weeks, if not months, to resolve.  Best of luck.