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How Long Should I Expect to Have Surgical Drains After Mommy Makeover Surgery?
asked 5 months ago by Jslimette in Atlanta, GA
Latest answer by Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Question viewed 384 times
Tags: drains, duration, expectation
I am having breast augmentation, a tummy tuck, and liposuction.
21 answers to How Long Should I Expect to Have Surgical Drains After Mommy Makeover Surgery?
+5
Mommy makeover - surgical drains
Great question. Surgical drains help to prevent the accumulation of fluid within the abdominal tissues. They involve small bulbs that provide constant suction to allow the evacuation of fluid. When the amount decreases to a beneath a certain threshold, then you can remove the drains. Most drains stay in for 1 week, but it is not uncommon to keep them in longer if there is still quite a bit of fluid accumulation. The risk of taking drains out prematurely is that...
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+2
Drains after a tummy tuck
Drains stay in until they are draining minimally so the risk of seroma is as low as possible. I ask that the daily output be under 25 cc and this usually takes 7-10 days to get there.
+1
Mommy Makeover Drains from the Tummy Tuck Removed Usually by Day 3
Thank you for your question. Drains are rarely used in the Breast after Breast Augmnetation or Breast Lift.
Typically drains are used after the Tummy Tuck Portion of the Mommy Makeover. Most plastic Surgeons leave drains in until less than 25 cc (less than an ounce) of fluid comes out of each drain in a 24 hour period.
In some people this is one day and others can take longer if there is a lot of fluid coming out. An average is about 3 days.
+1
Drains and TT / MM
We take the drains out when they stop making large amounts of fluid. Typically, it takes 7-10 days for this to happen, and the drainage to decrease to 25-30 cc each per 24 hour time period. People who have lipo at the same time tend to make more fluid for longer.
All the best!
+1
How Long Should I Expect to Have Surgical Drains After Mommy Makeover Surgery?
When the drains can be removed varies greatly. It is based on how much fluid is produced by the individual during the healing process. It can be as variable as between 3-14 days. Overdoing it after surgery can cause more fluid to form and then having to leave the drains in longer.
+1
Surgical drains and tummy tuck after Mommy Makeover surgery
The use of surgical drains after tummy tuck surgery and breast surgery is common. At Gayoso Plastic Surgery, I maintain drains until the drainage amount has reached a particular level. During this time, the drainage consistency should be changing from thicker, more bloody liquid, to much thinner fluid. All of these are signs of normal healing and indicate that the drainage is slowing down appropriately. The risk of removing drains too quickly after surgery is the development of a seroma,...
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+1
Drains with Mommy makeover surgery
Drains after abdominoplasty are often kept in place for approximately one week or more. This may vary from one physician to another, but most of us use them for some period of time. Breast surgery doesn't always require the use of drains, and liposuction doesn't require drains at all. This will be discussed with you by your Plastic Surgeon when you approach the time to proceed with this type of very beneficial surgery.
Congratulations on making...
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+1
Drains after your mommy makeover.
If you were having just a tummy tuck, I would say your drains would be in from 5 to 10 days. The fact you are having liposuction as well may cause the drainage to go on a little longer. Its hard to give a specific time frame for drain removal and most surgeons would be looking for the drainage to get low, approximately 25 to 30 cc per day for a few days and then remove them. I don't use drains for breast augmentations.
+1
Drains after a mommy makeover a usually required
I typically leave the drains in for 1-2 weeks. If the drains are getting more than 30ml/day I leave them in a little longer.
+1
Drains and mommy makeover
Drains will probably only be necessary for the tummy tuck and typically stay in 1-2 weeks, rarely 3 week for one of the drains. Each patient is different. Ask your plastic surgeon what his/her "rules" are for removing the drains. Best of luck.
+1
Just long enough
Each and every plastic surgeon has a different approach on this. Mine is to wait long enough that the volume coming out is low and you won't have left over fluid forming where your body can't absorb it...called a seroma.
The color of the fluid in the drain is also is a key to when to remove the drains.
SO if your doctor tells you he always takes drains out at day such and such that is fine. Some of us try to be less rigid and try to outsmart your body. There...
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+1
Drains after mommy makeover
Drains are removed when the fluid decreases to a certain amount (different for different surgeons). In general thay can be removed by the end of a week, rarely more than two weeks. I use drains for tummy tuck procedures but not for breast surgery. Check with your surgeon.
+1
Drains after Tummy Tuck?
Thank you for the question.
Every surgeon has a different “protocol” in regards to the use of drains after tummy tuck surgery; therefore, for the most precise answer you probably should check with your own plastic surgeon.
Personally, I use drains for one to two weeks after surgery and remove them when the output is less than 20 mL per drain per day.
Best wishes for a safe and successful procedure.
+1
Drains after Mommy Makeover
Drains are not typically needed after liposuction or breast augmentation. Most surgeons us drains for about 1 week after tummy tucks but there are techniques that allow for a "no drain" tummy tuck. Google "no drain tummy tuck gutowski" for more information
Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Draining Mommy Makeover how long?
There are 2 schools of drainage. Some surgeons drain by time (1-2 wks), others drain by volume (less than 30 ml). Personally, I am in the second group. I find that the thicker the abdominal tissue the longer drainage lasts.
It is still hard for me to predict how long drains will stay in place. Just stay patient (be a patient patient) because taking the drains out too early can lead to seroma.
Good luck with your surgery.
+1
Mommy Makeover and Drains
The length of time drains are left in depends upon the patient.. Usually it is 7-10 days. It depends upon the amount of drainage. The results with a mommy makeover are so great that it is well worth having the drains in.
William H. Huffaker, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon
+1
Surgical Drains After Tummy Tuck and Mommy Makeover
Drains are left in place after full tummy tuck in order to remove any buildup of swelling fluid under the skin. In general, the drains can be removed at 5 to 7 days. The concept of having a drain sounds strange to patients at first, but as you will see after your surgery, the drains really are not a big deal and too much concern is placed on the concept of the drains prior to surgery. Assuming you are seeing a board certified plastic surgeon, my best advice is to trust your...
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+1
Tummy tuck drains
The drains would normally be used for the tummy tuck portion of the procedure. The length of time they need to remain in place varies. Removal usually is determined by the amount and color of the drainage. The color of the drainage should be a clear yellow or light pink. The amount of drainage should be under a certain number of cc's. I usually wait until there is less than 30cc's in each drain for a 24-hour period. (This amount may...
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Diane L. Gerber, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Abdominoplasty drains vs no drains.
If drains are used, they typically stay in 7-10 days for a tummy tuck. It is also possible to do the surgery without drains, which makes recovery more comfortable after a tummy tuck. Not using drains will take a little longer in the operating room as the surgeon sews the open spaces closed, but makes for a better recovery.
Ramin Behmand, MD
Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon
Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon
+1
Drains after mommy makeover
Surgical drains are typically used with tummy tucks. Most surgeons don't use them with breast augmentation and liposuction. The tummy tuck drains are usually removed within 1-2 weeks, but the exact timing can depend on how much fluid is draining.
Arnold S. Breitbart, MD
Long Island Plastic Surgeon
Long Island Plastic Surgeon
+1
Drains after tummy tuck surgery
Hey Jslimette and thank you for the question. Drains after tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery are placed to ensure proper drainage of the fluid that accumulates in the dead space created between the internal abdominal tissues and the skin the is separated from it during surgery. If the fluid accumulates with out drainage a fluid collection called a seroma may form and will need to be drained with a needle or in worse cases with surgery.
So drains are left to drain the fluid until the...
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