Removing drains too soon may result in fluid buildup, seroma, and the need for fluid aspiration and/or a second surgery. Generally speaking, most patients who require tummy tuck drains are able to have them removed after about 1 – 3 weeks.
The reason for leaving the drain tubes in is to decrease ti chance of fluid collection (seroma). However, leaving the tubes in too long can increase the chance of infection at the tune sites and potentially into deeper space.
Your surgeon will usually remove the bulb when drainage is below 25 ml per day for two days in a row. On average, JP drains can continue to drain for 1 to 5 weeks. Keep a log and bring it to the clinic for discussion so your surgical team can determine the best time to remove the drain.
Answer: It is normal to have drains more than 3 weeks? Congratulations on having undergone the tummy tuck procedure. Yes, sometimes drains are necessary for three weeks, or even longer.
Removing drains too soon may result in fluid buildup, seroma, and the need for fluid aspiration and/or a second surgery. Generally speaking, most patients who require tummy tuck drains are able to have them removed after about 1 – 3 weeks.
Drainage will gradually taper following tummy tuck surgery. It will initially appear bloody over the first few days. Drainage will darken over time as bleeding stops and old blood is drained from the surgical site. The fluid then gradually changes to a clear yellow or pink-tinged hue, which is omaous drainage.
In the days and weeks after surgery your body needs time to repair the incision. During this time, the incision will likely become inflamed and there may be some drainage. A mild amount of drainage from the incision is normal.
Answer: You should only remove the drain after and abdominoplasty by yourself if permitted by your own surgeon.
A ballpark is 30mL of drainage or less over a few consecutive 24 hour periods. Generally the first drain is removed one week post-operatively and the second drain shortly thereafter when appropriate levels have been reached.
Answer: Post surgical attire
After surgery you would be most comfortable in over sized sweatpants and a zip up or button up shirt. Some patients choose to wear a robe with pockets so they can place their drainage bulbs in the pockets. The idea is to wear loose, comfortable clothing is the goal.
Sometimes there may be contamination or sub-clinical infection of the drain itself, which can cause persistent drainage. Removal of the drain is sometimes all that is necessary in this situation, but as often as not, another drain will need to be reinserted.
Pain at the drain site may be due to the weight of the drain pulling on the skin. You might try moving the drain bulb. You should ask your surgeon what he suggests in terms of topical medications to help. Many of us do not use drains after tummy tuck to help patients avoid this problem.
Considering the duration of your drain it is not surprising to see irritation around your drain site. As others have mentioned, you should contact your plastic surgeon to evaluate for surgical site infection, signs of which include fever, chills, redness, foul smelling and/or cloudy drainage from the drains.
The best sleeping position after tummy tuck surgery is on your back with your upper body elevated to create a slight bend or angle. Using pillows or sleeping in a recliner is ideal to achieve this position.
While serous or serosanguineous drainage is normal in small amounts, call your surgeon or healthcare provider if the drainage is profuse or persists for longer than 72 hours.
Too much wound drainage: wound bed has free fluid visible, the dressing is wet or saturated, frequent changes required, and periwound skin may be macerated or denuded.
The wound will take about 1 to 2 weeks to heal, depending on the size of the abscess. Healthy tissue will grow from the bottom and sides of the opening until it seals over.
Usually seroma appears shortly after the abdominoplasty with a peak incidence eleven days after surgery [8].
Generally, you'll notice the tummy tuck drains — thing plastic tubes — first remove plasma, which is red or pink, followed by yellow or clear seroma. It's normal for the body to send fluids to an injured area, and surgery does injure the body even if it's repairing something inside.
If your tummy tuck drain fell out and you are experiencing any pain, redness, or swelling in the area, be sure to contact your doctor right away. These could be signs of infection and should be treated as soon as possible.