I'm due to have my drain removed early next week. I have been draining approximately 50cc's every 24 hrs and the same very dark color since surgery. Does the volume of drainage and color indicate a serious problem? Im healing well, with no sign of infection at the incisions or drain site. I'm resting, avoiding strenuous activity and drinking lots of fluids. Would it be safe/appropriate to leave my drain in longer considering my drainage volume?
Answer: Long-standing hematoma can drain weeks after a abdominoplasty. 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.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Long-standing hematoma can drain weeks after a abdominoplasty. 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.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Dark red fluid draining after tummy tuck Thank you very much for your enquiry. It certainly is quite unusual to be draining
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Dark red fluid draining after tummy tuck Thank you very much for your enquiry. It certainly is quite unusual to be draining
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July 23, 2014
Answer: Drain should be left in if this amount of drainage is still being evacuated! 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
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CONTACT NOW July 23, 2014
Answer: Drain should be left in if this amount of drainage is still being evacuated! 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
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July 23, 2014
Answer: Drainage following tummy tuck 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.
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CONTACT NOW July 23, 2014
Answer: Drainage following tummy tuck 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.
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July 23, 2014
Answer: When to remove drain when output is still considerable 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.
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July 23, 2014
Answer: When to remove drain when output is still considerable 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.
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