How Long is Too Long to Wait to Drain an Abdominal Seroma? I Am Almost 3 Weeks Post Op and Ten Days Post Seroma.

Some seromas last for months so don't worry about a few days. Most resolve in a few weeks and don't cause any long term problems.

Seroma formation is a common problem following tummy tuck
surgery.In an effort to minimize this
complication, surgeons utilize drains in the post-operative period.These drains are typically left in place for
7 to 14 days following surgery.They are
usually removed when drainage drops below 25 cc per 24 hours.After
the drains are removed, seroma fluid can continue to develop for a limited
period of time.In most cases, the body
reabsorbs this fluid before it can develop into a seroma.In some cases, this fluid accumulates faster
than the body’s capacity to reabsorb it.When this occurs, seroma formation can result.This occurs more frequently when patients are
physically active.Once a
seroma forms, serial percutaneous aspirations with a needle and syringe are
necessary.If this continues,
percutaneous CT-guided drain placement may be necessary.In rare cases, placing a sclerosing agent
into the seroma cavity may be necessary to prevent seroma formation. Although
most seromas don’t represent a significant problem, they should be
removed.Seroma removal helps decrease
the potential for infection and wound breakdown.It also makes recovery a more comfortable
experience.The vast majority of seromas
have resolved in 6 weeks but occasionally they persist for longer periods of
time.Clinically significant seromas can
usually be felt on physical examination.Lesser amounts of seroma may be present in most patients but these don’t
require treatment.A 10-day delay in
treatment probably won’t affect your final result.

It is better to drain your seroma sooner rather than later, but one to two weeks probably will not impact your final outcome as long as the seroma resolves completely.

A seroma should be aspirated as soon as it is diagnosed. Frequent aspirations will shorten the duration of the problem.

There really is no right or wrong with seroma treatment as long as you are followed closely with your surgeon.  I prefer to treat seromas when then appear or as soon as possible, but sometimes circumstances like yours occur and patients patients do just fine after one drainage.  Occasionally patient's will need additionally drainage.  Seromas, in general, are area, but when they do occur are easily treated with drainage and rarely require more extensive intervention.