25 days post op draining 50cc dark red wine colored fluid- circumferential tummy tuck, muscle repair and lipo. Concerned!!

It sounds as though you are evacuating blood that is accumulated and is now finally working its way through the incision. This should be reported to your plastic surgeon.

First of all, drains are not removed according to a schedule; they are removed when the amounts are low enough that your body has healed any residual cavity completely enough that with the drain out, no fluid accumulates to cause a seroma (or if the drainage is old blood like yours, a hematoma).My partner and I have done over 300 lower body lifts over the past 17 years, and can confirm that the posterior drains can remain in place for an average of 2-3 weeks, and sometimes longer, so your case is not unusual at all.Thus, it is appropriate that you NOT let the doctor's nurse remove your drain prematurely, that you discuss this with your surgeon, and that s/he might want to consider sclerodesis to help seal down any residual cavity from which drainage is still coming out via your drain.I agree with Dr. Rand that your surgeon should be horrified that you are asking this online rather than calling him or her. Please do so Monday morning first thing. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Thank you very much for your enquiry. It certainly is quite unusual to be draining
50cc of wine-coloured fluid following tummy tuck procedure and in fact in our
practice we do not use any drains at all and rarely have fluid collections.

I would generally recommend that you see your
plastic surgeon to allow them to assess the area as there are a number of
techniques they can use to decrease the drainage you are having.

I hope the drainage stops in the near future and
wish you the best of luck with this.

Best wishes.

There is a judgment call here and traditionally, drains are left in until a certain amount is reached (less than 30 cc's a day for 2 consecutive days in my book).  But when drains are left in long, there is a real risk of a retrograde infection and risks and benefits need to be considered here.  In my practice, I often convert closed drains to open drains and pull them 1-2 inches a day until they are out.  Your drainage suggests a draining hematoma... and you should discuss your options thorouhgly with your surgeon.

It sounds like you are draining old blood that has collected under the skin flaps.  It is not dangerous but you may need to keep the drains in longer.  

I understand your concern and it's appropriate to ask. Output following a circumferential tummy tuck generally lasts longer than a standard tummy tuck, so even three weeks is not unusual. The darker color is usually secondary to ongoing resorption of blood in the surgical area from the time of surgery. All that having been said, I would definitely contact your surgeon to discuss these issues.

Each doctor manages their patients very differently.  I would advise discussing this matter with your surgeon.  Drains are typically removed when less than 30cc over 24 hours but there are many instances when the drain may be removed when output is higher.  Good Luck, Gaurav Bharti

Drainage after abdominoplasty is normal. The color can vary and often after surgery one can drain some darkfluid that is likely old blood. As long as you are not seeing bright red drainage there is nothing to worry about. The amount you are draining is quite normal. Usually surgeons remove the drains when it is draining about 30 to 40cc for 24 hours. I would imagine that youwill notice a decrease in drainage over time. Sometimes we leave the drains in longer if we feel that the drainage is too high. You and your surgeon can determine this at your next visit.

Thank you for your question though obviously a full examination is needed.  That said I would be inclined to leave your drain in a little longerDr. Corbin

Hopefully you chose an excellent board certified plastic surgeon to do your care. I can assure you that they would be horrified that you were on line asking a very basic postop question that only should be directed to him or her. Please call them today and ask if it can't wait til Monday!!