How Many Times Should I Expect to have a Seroma Drained Post Tummy Tuck?

Sorry to hear you have a seroma, although they are common after the tummy tuck procedure, they are also frustrating for patients to keep having their seroma drained. The amount of times you have to have it drained varies. It essentially has to do with how much fluid you have built up.  If the drainage continues, your surgeon may suggest for you to go in the OR and have a new drain put in.

My recommendation for you to limit your activity level and wear your compression garment until your seroma gets better. Best of luck to you.

To learn more, please visit our page on potential complications of a tummy tuck procedure.

A seroma is an accumulation of fluid under the skin that can occur after various kinds of plastic surgery. Seromas can interefere with healing of surgical site and may require drainage. Small seromas often dissolve on their own, however larger one may need to be drained with the needle and syringe to avoid problems.   However,  if precautions are taken, such as placement of the drains and compression graments seromas occur very rarely. In very rare situtations  drainage has to be repeated several times but that usually solves the problem. 

can require 3-5  aspirations over several weeks

wear compression

discuss having a new drain placed if it persists

Seromas are collections of fluid that can form under the skin after a tumm tuck. These may need to be drained in the office  several times until the fluid amounts are quite low. If the fluid persists, occasionally a drain may need to be replaced and injected with a special solution to prevent fluid accumulation. Discuss this in detail with your plastic surgeon as each case is unique.

Best wishes,

Dr.Bruno

Hello. Thanks for your question . Seromas are the most frequent minor complications in this type of surgeries. The number of punctures to drain a seroma can vary greatly from patient to patient . You must have as many punctures are necessary to reduce them to an amount that can be absorbed by your body.  Best Luck.