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Drainage Tube Fell out 3 Days After Breast Reduction

asked 2 years ago by 8025anon in delaware
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 1,604 times

Is something wrong when your drainage tube falls out three days after a breast reduction?

15 answers to Drainage Tube Fell out 3 Days After Breast Reduction

Drains and Breast Reduction?

Inadvertent drain removal will not necessarily require any intervention or cause any adverse affects. Close follow-up with your plastic surgeon is indicated. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Drain fell out

There is always a risk that a drain fell out on its own, this could possibly increase your risk for a seroma but I would just keep an eye on it with your surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduciton drainage tuibe

The use of drainage tubes in breast reduction is somewhat controsversial. I frequently remove these at the first visit without any problem. Notify your surgeon, but it is likely he/she will do nothing other than observe.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Drain tubes seldom indicated in breast reduction

Having been in practice very many years we have seen a gradual shift away from drains after breast reduction. Perhaps fifteen years ago we used an overnight drain that we removed with the the first dressing. Over the past ten years we have not placed drain tubes in our breast reduction patients and both we and the patients have been happier. If your drain fell out after three days you should have no problems. Check with your surgeon to make sure that the complete drain and any drain... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Drainage tubes after breast reduction

Most doctors do not use drains at all for their breast reductions in our community. However, it is always best to keep your surgeon posted immediately whenever a question arises. Only he knows exactly what happened during your surgery. there may have been a very good reason to place the drains, and you might need drainage of fluid, monitoring for infection, etc.

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Don't worry

Drainage tubes are not always used for breast reduction and often are removed in 1-3 days anyway, so if a tube came out on its own it is not a serious problem. Typically, the tube is held in with a stitch to prevent it from "falling out", but occasionally the stitch can break.

David J. Levens, MD
Coral Springs Plastic Surgeon

Drainage Tube and Breast Reduction

Yes, something is wrong, your surgeon should have sewn the drains in better. The reality is that some people drain some don't. I drained breast reductions when I started in practice because that's how I was trained. Then I read that Dr. Elizabeth Hall-Findley, who developed the breast reduction that I do, no longer puts drains in. So I stopped putting drains. Things went well but then one of my patients got seromas and I had to take her back to the... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction and drainage tubes

I would not worry about the drainage tube falling out. I personally never used or use drainage tubes for breast reductions, augmentations or lifts. I would let your surgeon know about it though. Good luck with your healing.

George Marosan, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Early accidental drain removal after breast reduction

Considering that I stopped using drains for breast reductions several years without issues, I wouldn't worry if your fell out at 3 days. But this is something to address only with the doctor that put them in!

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Falling Drainage Tubes

Drainage tubes are used in anticipation of having to remove an excess of fluid created in the surgical field. Removing such fluid allows better contact and healing between the separated areas. If the drains are removed too soon, the fluid will continue forming resulting a a fluid collection (seroma). The majority of Plastic surgeons no longer drain or selectively drain Breast Reduction cases. Odds are that "nothing bad" will come of the drain being pulled out. But... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Drainage Tube with Breast Reduction

It is not unusual for drainage tubes to fall out, become clogged or leak following any surgery before they are removed. I would not be concerned in your case since most drains are ready to be removed 3 days post-op. In fact, many surgeons do not place drains with breast reductions.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Loss of drainage tubes

The tubes typically don't just "fall" out. They are sutured in place. LIkely, you pulled it out perhaps during sleep when you were not aware of it. Notify your surgeon. sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Drainage tube fell out 3 days after breast reduction

No, but call your surgeon to discuss. And follow his advise not internet docs. You chose him than use him. We all want the best care for you. Be careful. Regards from MIAMI Dr. B

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Drainage tube fell out - probably no problem

This is the type of question that should be directed right to your plastic surgeon or his/her nurse, not to this site. I usually remove my drains by day 3 but different doctors have different protocols. Give you plastic surgeon a call so he knows about it.

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.schusterplasticsurgery.com

Breast reduction, Drains

Not necessarily. A drain may only be required for 24-48 hours after a breast reduction, so if it fell out on POD #3, it may be just fine. Drainage patterns or amounts are different with each patient. Some people drain more than others. I usually go by volume, ie, a drain is ready to come out when it is draining <30 mL/24 hours. IF your drain was still draining >30 mL/24 hours when it came out, you may develop a seroma (fluid collection) inside the breast,... more