Tummy Tuck Q&A

94%

WORTH IT RATING

2,299 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,925

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,723 people and 861 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

Drain Tubes Are Slipping and Hurt at Point of Entry, Is This Normal?

asked 3 months ago by valley girl in central IL
Latest answer by J. Jason Wendel, MD
Question viewed 245 times
Tags: 2 weeks post-op, drains, normal, slipped

I am now two weeks post op after Tummy Tuck and Breast Implants. My drain tubes for tummy tuck have slipped out slightly and one hurts and is slightly inflammed at point of entry. Is this normal? The fluid is the expected color with no odor but I was pushing them back in until today when I was told not to do that. I am worried I might have really screwed up. No fever but I was having Hot/Cold spurts last night. Any suggestions. My doc says not to worry, but he is two hours away and I am worried!

11 answers to Drain Tubes Are Slipping and Hurt at Point of Entry, Is This Normal?

Drains slipping out after tummy tuck

That's right. Don't push the drains back in as this can introduce bacteria into your incision. See your plastic surgeon when his office opens to see if the drains need to be removed. Yes, it is normal for the drains to be uncomfortable at times but if the pain and redness are increasing you need to be seen sooner rather that later. If you get fever and chills/sweats, go to your closest emergency room. Also, if you think you are getting sick, you can call... more

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Drain concerns after tummy tuck

I agree with your doctor that you should not push the drains back in. That is a potential entry site for bacteria and pushing them back in may introduce that bacteria into your body. At two weeks, the drains may be ready to be removed. Some redness around the drain site is normal. The hot/cold symptoms you are describing may or may not be related to your surgery. If symptoms persist or new ones develop, contact your surgeon's office.

Mennen T. Gallas, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Pain at drain site

Usually the drains can be removed at 2 weeks post op. Having your doctory take them out should fix the problem. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Drain pain after Tummy Tuck

Hi there- What you are describing sounds within the normal experience of the majority of patients- except for the hot/cold thing... if this worsens and you begin to have a fever, you need to communicate this to your surgeon asap. Otherwise the only other thing to say is that I agree pushing the drain back into your body is not a good idea. When in doubt, call your surgeon's office.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Sounds very normal and common

The drains are definately one of the more annoying parts of having and recovering from a tummy tuck. Sometimes the stitch at the skin gets loose and can cause irritation. That is the redness at the entry point you see. Do not push the drain back in, hopefully the drain should be coming out soon since you are two weeks post surgery.

Kari L. Colen, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.colenmd.com

Drainage tubes and tummy tuck

What you are experiencing is normal. What you need to look out for is increasing redness and foul smelling drainage and fever. If any of these occur call your Dr.

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Drains

Unfortunately drains can become irritating after a while. You should not push the drains back in so that any potential bacteria on the outside of the drain is not pushed beneath the skin. You are two weeks out so it may be reasonable to have the drains removed if they are not producing a lot of fluid per day. Speak with your PS concerning that issue. Dr. ES

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck drains

I would not push the drains back in, but I think limiting your activity and also putting some tape over the site to keep it from slipping out is a good idea until you can see your surgeon.

Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Drain Issues after Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for the question. Your plastic surgeon is giving you good advice. Do not push the drain back in and do not worry too much about the entire situation with the drains. I do not think you have “screwed up”. I would also suggest that you use gauze and tape to secure the drains as much as possible, to avoid its movement and irritation of the skin around it. Unfortunately, some redness/irritation around the drain and the surrounding skin is quite normal... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Drains slipping out

Occasionally the drains can slip out a bit. I agree with your doc NOT to push it back in. Even if it isn't really holding it's suction any longer. You could put some anti-bacterial ointment around the opening of the skin where the drain is coming out if you can easily see it. Otherwise just try to secure the drain a little better with tape so it's not pulling or catching on anything which could hurt.

Ronald Schuster, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.drschuster.com

Drains following tummy tuck

The drains after having a tummy tuck performed can certainly be irritating. The skin point of entry frequently appears a bit red when they have remained in place for a week or more. Over time, the drains can also get a bit loose. I agree with the advice you were given. I don't like patients to manipulate the drains because forcing them back into the abdomen can potentially expose that healing space to new bacteria from the drain that had escaped your body a bit... more