How long is too long to have a hemovac after a tummy tuck, what can be done to reduce the swelling on a daily basis.

Hello.
Great question. Congratulations on your procedure. There is no set time frame for drain to be removed it depends on how much fluid you are still draining. Keep following your surgeon's post op instructions as he is the one who knows your procedure best. Best of luck with your recovery.

Most surgeons use drains after tummy tucks.  It removes the fluid and prevents the seromas (fluid collection) that can occur if not used.  However, I believe that if the drain is still in at four weeks it can begin to cause more fluid or inflammation.  I will remove a drain by four weeks.  Fluid may accumulate and need to be drained but it's very rare a this point.  In addition the tummy is numb and typically you cannot feel the aspiration or removal of fluid.  I always instruct my patients to severely limit their salt intake as this will cause fluid accumulation. Don't be worried if it gets removed, most likely the fluid that builds up will be reabsorbed by the tissues.

No absolute concensus exists as to how long to an abdominoplasty site should be drained. Nevertheless, your situation of 5 weeks of hemovac drainage is a lengthly outlier. Most surgeons make their decision on when to remove drains based on a diminishing qauntity of fluid drained and fluid quality that becomes progressively clearer over time. In the vast majority of cases, drains are removed less than 7days after an uncomplicated abdominoplasty. Leaving a drain in place for an extended duration runs the risk of infection from bacteria entering the wound by way of the drainage portal. Furthermore, tissue ingrowth into the holes of the drain may make for difficult and bloody during drain extraction.  Your description suggests that you and your treating surgeon have elected to remove the drain. Using an abdominal binder after drain removal may assist in collapse of the internal cavity as well as to control swelling. Best of luck.