What is the average timeframe for a patient to have drains after implant removal/lift?

Thank you for sharing your question. In most cases of an explant and lift drains are not used, while for a tummy tuck procedure they can last from 5 days to a couple of weeks after surgery. Hope this helps.

This depends upon your PS's protocol; some use drains, others do not. If drains are inserted in your abdomen, they may stay in for 1-4 weeks. Record the output of each drain for every 24 hour period and take the record to your follow-up appointment. Drains should be stripped every 4 hours as instructed after surgery. The general rule is for the drainage to be less than 30cc over a 24 hour period prior to removing the drain. I do not use drains after breast implant removal; other board certified plastic surgeons may.

Drains are left in until the drainage is less than 30 cc's per drain per day. For a breast lift, it is usually between 3-5 days and for a tummy tuck, it is usually 7-14 days.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

After a breast lift & implant removal, a drain is typically left in for one week. I hope this helps. Best of luck!

Dear kd4,
drains are used to remove the fluid from operated area. Once the output reduces, they can be removed. In some cases, they can be removed after few days. Others might need more time.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Wish I could give you a more specific answer, but here are some more ideas to consider as you ask more questions. If you are getting a capsulectomy with the implant removal, then the drains may stay longer. If no new implants area being placed, more surgeons are getting away from drains, but this is patient and surgeon specific. While some people are discussing more about drainless abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), this has not been widely accepted. Opportunities exist to place some extra sutures during the procedure that may help limit or in some instances, remove the need or time for drains.

I seldom use drains for breasts implants, but the drains for tummy tucks are usually left in up to a week, unless they are still draining. Every surgeon is different.

You're correct in noting that everyone is different. Drains for implant removal are typically in place for less time that tummy tucks. For breasts 3-7 days is average. For a tummy tuck it can be 7-14. They are removed based on output amount.

I rarely use drains with implant removal and lift procedures. When a drain is placed, it generally stays for 3-7 days or whenever the drainage is less than 25cc's per 24 hours.

Best of luck.
Dr. T