Can I Remove my Drainage Tube at Home?

Tags:

at-home drainage removal

Comment on this

8 Doctor Answers | Asked by lakemom

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (0)

Drain Removal after Tummy Tuck?

No, I would suggest that you have the drains removed by your plastic surgeon or his representative. Best wishes.

Drainage removal

Your drainage should be removed at the doctors office. That is also a time the doctor can assess your condition and how he can improve the scarring etc..

Can I Remove My Tummy Tuck Drain at Home?

Well, yes you could, but I don't know why you would want to. When I used drains (not needed any more due to quilting sutures), I always numbed up the drain site. Otherwise it can hurt quite a bit having the drain pulled. Patients who knew someone or had seen someone else have that done without anesthetic did not like it at all. Ouch! Also, drains leave an opening that heals much better if it is closed. Until it seals, more drainage can come out on your clothing. So I would put a... more

Drain removal at home

It certainly can be done if you have discussed with your doctor. The main potentially issue is re-accumulation of fluid. This will need to be drained with needle and syringe. Make sure your doctor is available if this should happen.

Removing Drainage Tube at Home after Mini Tummy Tuck

I would not recommend this, because a physical exam prior to removal ensures that an additional problem does not exist. Sometimes, a person can have fluid and low drain output because a drain is clogged. That is just one of many examples. Please get this removed at the doctor's office.

Drain to be removed at home?

While it is certainly possible to remove your own drain, it is best to ask your doctor what he prefers. I prefer to take them out myself so that there is not problem.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Can I Remove my Drainage Tube at Home

I do occasionally have patients remove their own drains at home. They will call with drainage info to choose appropriate timing. Depending upon the type of drain, there is one suture to snip, and the drain comes out quite easily. I usually advice that the patient have a family member or friend do this (?nurse if available). I don't offer this unless I am asked, and many patients who do ask wind up coming in to the office for removal. All the best.

Removing one's own drainage tube

Of course not! Would you pull your own tooth? Sometimes drain removal can be painful and it does require expertise. You have presumably paid a surgeon for a procedure and that includes aftercare. Why would you even consider doing so yourself? If you live far from your surgeon, then planning for the followup should have been factored into your decision making process.