What is Average Time for Drains to Stay in After Tummy Tuck?

                   Drains
are frequently used in the post-operative period in abdominoplasty patients to
minimize the potential for seroma formation.  Drains are typically left in place for 7-14 days following
surgery.  They are usually removed
when drainage drops below 25cc per 24 hour period.

                   The
management of surgical drainage varies from patient to patient.  Each patient has unique surgical
anatomy and surgical procedures are modified for each individual patient for
these reasons.  In addition each
surgeon has his own drain protocols. 
In some patients, drainage may persist for longer periods of time,
especially if patients are physically active.  When drains are removed to early, there may be an increased
complication rate.  This might
result in seroma formation which requires multiple aspirations or replacement
of the drain.  Although drains seem
to be a major nuisance, they serve  a very important function in most
abdominoplasty patients.

Thank you for your question! On average patients have the drains for 2 weeks post surgery. Removal of the drains is dependent on the 24 hour totals of fluid that the body is producing. Best of luck!

I almost always place drains with an abdominoplasty; while a mini-abdominoplasty without liposuction may not warrant drain placement, a full tummy tuck with liposuction has more potential to create fluid collections under the skin. The drains provide an egress point for the fluid as your body is healing, Think about a scrape on your knee. Once it stops bleeding, you will note some clear yellow liquid on your bandaid; this is the type of fluid your body weeps with an injury. Now imagine the surface area of "injury" with a tummy tuck. That same kind of fluid will weep, and you don't want it to collect in a pocket under the skin - the drains do a good job of providing an exit point. As your knee scrape heels, it weeps less and less fluid. Similarly, as your abdomen heals, it will weep less and less fluid, making the drains no long necessary. I usually place two drains for an abdominoplasty with flank (love handle) liposuction; one drain is usually removed at about 1 week and the other drain is usually ready to come out closer to 2 weeks.