What are the chances of getting Seroma after a Tummy Tuck procedure?

This has been studied many times and it seems like many doctors agree that the chance of a seroma is between five and 10%.

There is a small risk of seroma after a tummy tuck. Drains, and compression bandage are the main stays of treatment. There are advocates for fibrin glue that adds an expense to the procedure that may not bear out in clinical trials. Compression stitches or stay stitches are advocated by some, these in turn may cause contour irregularities in an otherwise smooth tummy result. The treatment of seromas require patience on the part of the surgeon and the patient and may require multiple aspirations and reinsertion of a drain. Seromas are more common in those patients who have had massive weight loss.

Dear ljlynneThe risk of forming a seroma after an abdominoplasty is low, probably in the 1 to 3 percent range in a typical case. Certain factors can increase this risk. Liposuction of the abdominal wall at the time of abdominoplasty as well as abdominoplasty after major weight loss have higher rates of seroma formation.

Hi thereText book explain chances of a Seroma as anything between 1 to 5 percent.Dont Worry, surgeons nowadays take a lot of precautionary measures to reduce the chances of you developing one.

The statistical risk of seroma formation after abdominoplasty is about 5%. Seroma is the most common complication after abdominoplasty surgery. This risk is higher in patients who are obese, those that have larger pannus excisions and in patients requiring wider undermining of the abdominoplasty flap. Techniques used to reduce seroma rate include preserving a layer of fatty/fascia on the abdominal wall (to reduce the number of lymphatic channels divided) and using plication sutures between the abdominal flap and the underlying muscle fascia. Seromas occur as the lymphatic and vascular channels that normally move fluid around your body are divided during the operation. Most surgeons still use drains to collect this excess fluid during the post-operative period. The management of most seromas is usually simple and involves repeated drainage using a needle passed through the skin into the fluid cavity. 

The chances of developing a serum is small;  I think that, at least in my practice, the use of sutures from the abdominal wall to the abdominal wall fascia (progressive tension sutures) along with the appropriate use of drains, has cut down the incidence significantly. I hope this, and the attached link, helps.