1 Week After Mommy Makeover the Drain in my Tummy is Exposed, Can this Cause an Infection?

I am 7 days post op mommy makeover and just noticed my drain, that runs along the incision on the my tummy, is exposed. The open space is aprox. 4 mm long. Should i be worried? will this worsen my scar? can this cause infection? I will call my PS as soon as I can

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by feliza

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Drain Exposure After Abdominoplasty-Will This Cause An Infection?

I don't totally understand your question. Are you saying the drain, the white part that is under the suture line, is exposed for about 4 mm, which means that your abdominal wound is not healed and also means your drain isn't draining; or are you saying that where the drain comes out, some of the white portion is present at the drain hole, but the rest is inside underneath the skin. If the drain is no longer draining, you need to call your plastic surgeon immediately. On the... more

Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty Drain Problem Management

I am glad your plan is to contact and follow up with your plastic surgeon in the very near future. In general the exposure by itself will probably not cause an infection - unless you try to push it back in - DO NOT DO THIS as you can push bacteria inside. Before there were closed system suction drains surgeons would just put in a floppy piece of rubber (penrose drain) or stiff rubber drain (red Robinson catheter) and just allow any extra fluids drain around it into dressings. This was a... more

Drain Problem after Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for the question. Yes, it is best for you to communicate with your plastic surgeon. However, you should have some peace of mind that drain related problems generally do not cause any long-term negative sequelae with your tummy talk result. Best wishes.

Tummy Tuck

Exposed drain in tummy tuck at the incision site can get infected. You need to call your plastic surgeon now

Exposed drain after mommy makeover.

Yes, you should contact your plastic surgeon immediately to be examined. It sounds like a small area is exposed but I'm sure your plastic surgeon would want to know and possibly fix this. Until you are seen by your plastic surgeon, keep a clean dressing over the area of the incision and the drain and minimize your activity. Without an examine it is difficult to say whether this would cause an infection or increase your scarring but most likely not.