How Long Should I Expect to Have Surgical Drains After Mommy Makeover Surgery?

Almost every patient who undergoes a mommy makeover gets to
experience the ‘joy’ of drains.Surgical
drains are used to siphon off excess blood and fluid from the operative
area.Most often they are used with
tummy tucks, much less frequently for breast surgery.On the abdomen we have to lift the skin and
fat up off of the muscles in order to shift them down and cut away the
excess.This creates potential space.
Blood and fluid tend to seep from the raw surface area of the flap, and if this
is not drained out (with the surgical drain), it can build up, put pressure on
the incisions and create would healing problems.That fluid pocket is called a seroma, and
seroma formation is a bothersome complication that can be hard to treat.They are much more likely if drains are not
placed or are removed too soon.Usually
drainage from the drains gradually tapers off as healing progresses after
surgery, and typically by 7-14 days post-op the drainage has reduced to the
point that your body can just absorb any excess fluid.They key is how much drainage is coming out
daily from the drain.Usually if it is
less than 25cc in 24 hours it is safe to remove the drains.Everybody is a little different on how long
it takes to get down to a low enough level for drain removal (some people just
make more fluid than others). Don’t be alarmed if on you the drain has to stay
a little longer.Certainly it is easier
to deal with the drain in a little longer than it is to deal with a seroma.

The duration of surgical drains after a mommy makeover surgery can vary depending on several factors, including the extent of the procedures performed, individual healing rates, and the surgeon's preferences. Typically, surgical drains are used to prevent fluid buildup (seroma) in the surgical area, and they are removed once drainage decreases to a certain level.In the case of a mommy makeover, which often involves procedures like breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction, drains may be in place for anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. It's essential to follow your plastic surgeon's post-operative instructions diligently, including caring for the drains and monitoring fluid output.Your plastic surgeon will assess your healing progress during follow-up appointments and determine when it's appropriate to remove the drains. It's crucial to communicate any concerns or changes in drainage to your plastic surgeon promptly. Overall, while having drains can be uncomfortable, they play a crucial role in the healing process and help reduce complications.

I place drains for tummy tucks because there is a big area of surgical dissection and fluid buildup always happens to some extent. I typically place 1 or 2 drains, and they come out in the first or second week almost every time. It's unusual to have a drain in longer than 2 weeks, but it's not the length of time that it has been in that matters, only how much they are putting out daily that I take into consideration before removing them. It's better to leave them in until the output is low or else fluid can build up and compromise your result.
-Dr. David Mattos, New York Plastic Surgical Group