What Happens when Your Last Drain Comes out Before It is Ready?

I am 18 days post-op and my second and final drain came out over night. I was still draining around 60 to 80cc a day. What should I expect my PS to do?

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by sportychic in Iowa

Doctor Answers (9)
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Dealing with Drains

I recommend you see your surgeon so he/she can evaluate how you're doing. It sounds like you're still draining a fair amount of fluid and you'll want to take care of this to avoid complications. Sometimes fluids will collect in the abdominal space which can be aspirated with a needle in your physician's office.

Tummy Tuck and Drains?

Thank you for the question. Although the premature drain “removal” is a nuisance, you do not need to be too worried. It will be important to follow up with your plastic surgeon closely so he/she can evaluate you physically and drain any fluid accumulation that occurs. Sometimes this aspiration ( which tends to be painless) needs to be repeated a few times. Again, the important thing is to follow up closely with your plastic surgeon. Best wishes. more

Drain fell out while still draining a sizable amount of fluid

Though you didn't state what your procedure was, I will assume that it was most probably a tummy tuck. The amount that was draining, 60 - 80cc per 24 hours, was still quite a lot. The odds are that you will start accumulating this fluid as a seroma. Treatment can be either repeated aspirations or re-insertion of your drain. Make sure that your plastic surgeon is aware of your situation. He/she should be following you very closely particularly if aspirations are being done. more

Drains are important

I am sorry to hear your drain came out, my guess is you had a tummy tuck. 80 cc is lot of fluid and without the drain you may form a seroma, a fluid collection. Please see her plastic surgeon immediately, he/she will discuss compression, observance, and the probability you will need the fluid to be drained with a needle in the office. Good luck

What Happens when Your Last Drain Comes out Before It is Ready?

Uh oh....But it does happen....If fluid builds back up you can drain it off a few times with a needle done in the office (and gladly you are still numb!) or a drain can be put back in if you need to....Your doctor will know...If nothing is done, fluid buildup can turn into a long term issue like a Seroma, and that is really a pain!!!

Drain

Sometimes fluid reaccumulates and sometimes it does not. You and your surgeon will need to watch for this. If a significant amount does accumulate, it is advisable to have it drained.

Michael Hueneke, MD

6 reviews

Nashville Plastic Surgeon

What to do about drain coming out too soon.

This may not be a problem. How long drains are left in place is very subjective, there is no standard. Let your doctor know what happened. Most of us would watch to make sure a fluid pocket (called a seroma) does not develop. If it does, it can often be drained through the numb skin on the belly. Less often, another drain needs to be put back in.

What Happens after Drain Falls Out

Just let your surgeon know. If there is a fluid build up, then another drain can be placed. After 18 days, most drains are not needed.

Drains after plastic surgery

I am sorry to hear that your drain pulled out. This happens occasionally. I would notify your plastic surgeon so that you can get an appointment to be seen. With drain output in the 60-80cc/day range its likely that you will accumulate some fluid under your skin where the drain was. This is called a seroma. Your plastic surgeon may choose to treat this fluid by removing it with a small needle and syringe which may take several times or if this dosent work may... more