Can anyone drain a seroma? Should it only be done by a doctor or licensed person?

Thank you for your question.
Seromas, or fluid build ups should ideally be drained by someone with expertise in this area. This can be your surgeon, a PA, a registered nurse, etc. If interventional radiology is necessary, your doctor can refer you to a specialist who can assist you in this procedure.

Hello, thank you for your question. Ideally, a post-operative seroma should be evaluated and treated by the surgeon who performed your liposuction procedure as they would have the greatest knowledge of what was done and your anatomy. If for some reason you are not able to see your surgeon due to location/proximity or other reasons, I would advised being seen by either another board certified plastic surgeon, board certified Emergency medicine physician or similar provider with previous experience in draining fluid collections potentially with the use of an ultrasound.

In my experience a seroma is very unusual after liposuction. If it does occur, and in my opinion, it's best approached by the surgeon who performed the procedure since in theory they are the best prepared to enter the previously liposuctioned space. This is not to say that other medical professionals cannot be successful in the drainage of a seroma. It is a relatively easy procedure if the needle is placed in the right spot.