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How Comfortable or Uncomfortable Are the Drains Used for Breast Reduction?

asked 8 months ago by anon
Latest answer by Robert L. Kraft, MD
Question viewed 305 times
Tags: breasts, discomfort, drainage, drains, frequency, healing, irritation

What kind of irritation can the drains from breat reduction cause? Are these put in at the time of the surgery, or post-op based on the need from an evaluation?

12 answers to How Comfortable or Uncomfortable Are the Drains Used for Breast Reduction?

Use of drains in breast reductions

I disagree with some of my colleagues. I routinely use drains in breast reduction surgery and have performed approximately 1500 such procedures. The purpose of the drains is to prevent accumulation of serous fluid which could otherwise disrupt the surgical scar, which would then create an open wound which would have to close secondarily. The drains are not uncomfortable and they are removed in the office easily several days after the procedure. I find that patients have tremendous... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.foresthillsplasticsurgery.com

Breast Reduction Surgery and Drains

The use of drains for breast reduction surgery is variable from plastic surgeon to plastic surgeon, so I believe their use may not be as important as was once thought. In most cases, I still use soft suction drains and remove them after a few days, as I see advantages to removing the tissue fluid and/or blood that might accumulate. These drains are not painful and slide out easily and with minimal discomfort when they are removed.

Fredrick A. Valauri, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drvalauri.com

Drains are a source of only minor irritation to the patient.

Drains are commonly used with a variety of surgical procedures such as Breast Reduction, Facelift, and Abdominoplasty. They are needed to prevent an unwanted build up of fluid that can occur as an aftermath of these operations that can lead to an infection. The Drain itself is usually a long tube made out of silicon that is placed during surgery into the operative sight beneath the skin and is brought out through a separate stab wound or through one of the incisions used in the operation.... more

David A. Ross, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Drains: usually not needed

I rarely use drains nowadays unless the reduction is very excessive. Even when used, a round drain is not very uncomfortable and is easily removed.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Drains are often used after breast reduction surgery, but rarely do they need to

Be left in place for more than 24 hours. The drains are placed at the time of surgery, and they are made out of soft material, and function to remove any build up of fluid after surgery. Most people are not bothered at all by simply having drains in place for a short period of time, and any discomfort associated with removing the drains can be minimized by using a local anesthetic at the time that the drains are removed.

Michael H. Rosenberg, MD
White Plains Plastic Surgeon

Surgical drains

Surgical drains are used in all types of surgery, not limited to plastic surgery. The purpose of drains is to prevent the accumulation of fluid within a surgical wound after surgery. The decision whether or not to use them varies between surgeons and the type of surgery. I personally do not use drains in breast reduction surgery. If they are used, they are generally left in place for a short period of time for breast reductions, such as 1-4 days. There may be mild,... more

Sean A. Simon, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction and drains

Drains are not always used in breast reductions. Some plastic surgeons may use them all the time; others never and many - occassionally. I used to use them in virtually all my reductions but rarely do so now. When they are employed, it is at the time of the procedure. Discomfort associated with them does vary among patients. For most, it is just a nuisance to have them in place though they are at most only associated with mild irritation or discomfort.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Don't worry about drains- there's too much worry about them on the net

I used to routinely use drains in breast reductions but now only do in the larger sized reductions. Either way, if your doctor uses them it is because they feel it will help you heal better and the removal is easy. Too much concern is on the internet about drains.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Drains are not routinely needed for breast reduction

Depending upon the technique and the surgeon, drains are not necessarily needed for a breast reduction. Drains are used to remove fluid from a "dead space" such as during a tummy tuck to prevent fluid accumulation and help the skin to adhere to the abdominal wall.However in a breast reduction they are not necessarily as useful. I personally do not use drains for a breast reduction and have not seen any seromas (fluid buildup). Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon for... more

William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Drains In Breast Reduction

The discomfort which comes from the drains used in breast reductions varies for a couple of reasons. First of all, there is a good deal of variation in pain perception and tolerance among different individuals. Secondly, drains come in different sizes and shapes. I use very small drains which I feel cause less discomfort and I always place them at the time of surgery. The drains can usually be removed in only a few days.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction and drains

Drains are sometimes used during breast reduction surgery. There placed at the time the procedure. They may cause mild redness/tenderness around entrance site at the skin. Removal remove of the drains is done when output is low enough. Local anesthesia can be used at the time of drain removal to minimize discomfort. Hope this helps.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Drains in breast reduction. Why use drains? How do they work?

Drains are something placed during surgery. They come out through a small hole near the crease under your breasts. Not all breast reductions use drains. Some doctors always use them, some never, and some vary depending on the size of the reduction or fattiness of the tissue. Drains generally stay in a for a day or two. They can be irritating at where they go through the skin, but are otherwise not painful. They are removed easily, and the removal tends to... more