How long do I have to treat a seroma after my tummy tuck?

It can wait but definitely get this treated or drained when they return. The goal is to get rid of the fluid before the pocket becomes "organized" and thickened scar forms internally. Best Wishes!!

Thank you, Intell229035, for your question regarding how long you can wait to treat a seroma after your tummy tuck. Seromas, which are fluid collections that form under the skin after surgery, are a fairly common complication following tummy tucks, especially after drain removal. While your seroma has been identified and is not showing signs of infection, it’s important to have it treated as soon as possible.

Delaying the aspiration of a seroma can potentially lead to complications, such as increased swelling, discomfort, and in some cases, infection or even the development of hardened scar tissue around the fluid. The pressure you're feeling indicates that the seroma could be growing, and leaving it untreated for an extended period could make the aspiration process more difficult and increase the risk of more serious issues.

Since both your plastic surgeon and other surgeons in your area are on vacation, I recommend seeking out alternative medical care or visiting a healthcare facility that can perform an aspiration as soon as possible. Even though you may not have infection symptoms right now, prompt treatment is essential to prevent further complications.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

I’m sorry to hear about your small setback. Leaving a seroma untreated can result in the walls of the seroma becoming very smooth and then even when the seroma is drained the walls don’t heal together and the seroma recurs. Seromas may also become infected or they may work their way out through your incision and drain itself. The most effective and definitive way to resolve this is to have a drain inserted. You may wait for your plastic surgeons to return or you may check with the radiologists who frequently can insert a drain to get the seroma removed and then have your plastic surgeon evaluate, at some point in the future, when the drain can be removed safely after resolution of the seroma. Best wishes.

Dear Intell229035,
I understand your concern. Generally speaking, as long as you don't have infection it can wait a few days. However, in case of an infection you need to get it removed ASAP.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

My patients generally need to have a seroma drained between two and six times depending on how much fluid, how diligent they are about compression, and their activity level. As an alternative, a drain can be placed.

If you were surgeon is out of town, he or she should have a covering physician or office staff member like a nurse practitioner to handle emergencies. If they do not, you can call to see if a general surgeon feels comfortable draining it once or twice while you are gone.

Alternately, your primary care doctor can write a prescription for you to have a drain inserted with radiology guidance at a local hospital, but this will be significantly more expensive than drainage in the office.

A seroma cavity will form a wall if the fluid is in there longer than 4 to 6 weeks, so technically it can wait, but at that point in time it may be better to insert a drain to make sure the area stays empty of fluid rather than aspirate the fluid and allow it to accumulate between office visits.

It would be ideal to have the seroma drained . If your surgeon is on vacation find out who the surgeon is who covers his practice .

Hello, sorry to read of your serum. Sadly no, the longer you wait, the bigger and more uncomfortable your serum will get. If left untouched for three weeks it will become a chronic seroma and removal will imply additional surgery

It is not uncommon for a seroma to require multiple aspiration treatments before it resolves. If it is persistent sometimes a drain is placed temporarily to speed healing. Your surgeon may have designated someone to cover for her/him while on vacation. The office should be able to assist with that. If not it may be best to see a board certified general surgeon to drain the seroma.