How long does it take a seroma to heal.

Thank you for your question.  Healing of a seroma depends greatly on the size of the seroma.  My advice is to follow the specific instructions given to you by your plastic surgeon for recovery.  Best of luck.

Dear Surgery82,healing time depends on a number of factors. Small seroma can be reabsorbed by body within a few weeks while larger seromas might require a number of aspirations or even surgery in order to address it. If you have any concerns, I suggest you to discuss them with your plastic surgeon. Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello Surgery82,
I appreciate your questions! Seromas are a collection of fluids around the implant. These complications can cause swelling, pain and bruising after breast augmentation surgery. Most seromas heal naturally since they are usually reabsorbed into the body within a month. In more severe cases, it can take up to a year for them to be reabsorbed, or they can form a capsule and remain until they are removed surgically. Depending on the severity, a seroma may have to be drained more than once. Heat can be applied to the area to help the seromas heal more quickly. A heating pad or hot compress can be applied for about 15 minutes every few hours. Doing so would help with fluid drainage while providing additional comfort to the incision area. However, if the area is sore, warm, red, or swollen, I’d recommend you consulting with your plastic surgeon promptly. Seromas can increase the chances of a surgical site infection, so it is important to monitor them carefully. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Dr. De La Cruz.  

The amount of time for a seroma to absorb varies greatly.  A small amount of fluid can be absorbed in a week or two, but if a large seroma exists, it may need to be drained.  I am assuming that the seroma is around your implant.  An ultrasound may be of help in assessing the size and progress of the resolution.  If a seroma persists for too long, however, a chronic fluid accumulation can occur which ususally requires surgery.  Follw the advice of your plastic surgeon.  Best Regards.

Thank you for sharing your question.  If small a seroma can be absorbed by your body of a span of days to weeks but if larger may require treatment through aspiration and compression therapy.  Talk to your surgeon about your concerns, they can provide you the best information based on your specific case.  Best wishes on a speedy recovery.  

The time for a seroma to resolve will vary a lot with each particular case. It depends on many factors including the size of the seroma, the location, how fast your body is producing more fluid and what treatment you are having. Sometimes these will resolve within a few weeks, sometimes it takes months, but as long as there is steady improvement over time then there is no reason to worry.