What happens if you don't treat a seroma? (Photo)

The body will often heal a small seroma with no extra intervention.  If your surgeon is aware of it and is following you closely it should be fine to allow the body to take care of it.  If you notice that it doesn't improve or it worsens, contact your surgeon on how to proceed.  They often can be drained easily in the office.

Thank you for your question and doing your homework on RealSelf.  Seromas come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  Very small ones will absorb by themselves but larger ones may need to be drained to help complete the healing and recovery process. 

Small fluid collections/ seromas following breast implant removal can happen sometimes.  If it’s just a small amount your body can usually absorb it   on its own as long as it is not getting larger.  Larger collections may need to be drained (often just under local anesthesia) to prevent pain, visible deformity, asymmetry and infection of the sterile fluid.  Follow up with your plastic surgeon as recommended and let them know if it gets larger.  Best wishes.

I would have recommended going to your plastic surgeon which you did.  Number one, a diagnosis can be made, maybe even without an ultrasound.  Number two, if this needs to be drained, the plastic surgeon has a much better chance of draining it than someone else.  Since you deny pain or discomfort, your body should slowly absorb the fluid.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA 

Thank you for the question and photo. It is difficult to answer your question without examining you however a small seroma can resolve over time and a larger seroma may require drainage. It is best to follow up with your board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.