Was Told Seroma After Liposuction Will Take a Year to Reabsorbing, Should it be Aspirated?

Question

1 week ago I received liposuction of the inner thigh and knees. This is my second time around as I had the procedure done 7 years ago. New doctor said there was alot of scar tissue when he went in. Anyhow, I am still very swollen; the pressure is very painful, particularly around my knees. I went in for a follow up he said it was a collection of blood trapped, and that this would take a year to reabsorb. Should I ask for it be to be aspirated? Knees are 2x size than they were before procedure.

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

This sounds like normal post op swelling and bruising at 1 week.  If it is entraped blood it can not be aspirated.  I would be patient ;wear your garment and elevate your legs when possible.

Louis DeLuca, MD · Answer

Localized swelling following liposuction usually means that you have a seroma (a collection of serum) or a hematoma (a collection of blood).  If a discreet fluid collection can be felt, I will usually aspirate the area and follow the patient closely (at least 3 days/week).  If the swelling is generalized and, in your case, only one week after the surgery, compression garments, elevation and a low salt diet should help as the swelling subsides over time.  If this is a hematoma as you have been told, I would aspirate the blood if possible to minimize the development of scar tissue and decrease the risk of infection.  If the blood has already clotted, then time is your best option and indeed it can take up to one year for this to resolve.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

First, at one weel you are probably very swollen. If you also have a hematoma, at one week it is unlikely that you can have it aspirated. The blood has to liquefy after it has clotted and this takes about 2-3 weeks. You should be ffollowed closely

Jay Burns, MD · Answer

I do a large amount of liposuction and this is but one of many reasons I rarely recommend repeat liposuction. After initial liposuction, there is always the addition of much scar tissue in the area which makes the procedure more difficult, more bloody, more time consuming, and less satisfactory. 

	However, if you have a pocket of fluid, I would definitely drain it. However if you have blood that cannot be drained, then you are forced to follow it and it can indeed take a year to resolve. However, blood collections have an even greater tendency to lay down scar tissue and firmness or even mild irregularity may occur, but the chances are that if you wait long enough you will see improvement steadily occur. 

	Jay

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

Seroma, or not. Painful swelling with your knees twice normal is unusual and alarming. Immediate attention would be best for you.
	Best of luck,
	peterejohnsonmd

Was Told Seroma After Liposuction Will Take a Year to Reabsorbing, Should it be Aspirated?

Answers (9)

Answer: Collection of blood or serum after liposuction: secondary liposuction

Answer: Collection of blood or serum after liposuction: secondary liposuction

Answer: Painful swelling after liposuction

Answer: Painful swelling after liposuction

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Was Told Seroma After Liposuction Will Take a Year to Reabsorbing, Should it be Aspirated?

Answers (9)

Answer: Collection of blood or serum after liposuction: secondary liposuction

Answer: Collection of blood or serum after liposuction: secondary liposuction

Answer: Painful swelling after liposuction

Answer: Painful swelling after liposuction

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.