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Jp Drains 21 Days After Tt. How Long Can the Drains Be inn Without Complications?

i had lipo in flanks with a circumferential tummy tuck and fat transfer to butt. i am draining about 75cc per 24 hr period there is no blood in the liquid it appears yellowish sometimes it will be orange. its been 22 days im wondering how long can the drains be inn without complications

Doctor Answers 5

Jp Drains 21 Days After Tt.

August 14th, 2013
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There really is no time limit. Usually the limiting feature is how long the suture holds. As long as more than the threshold drainage (30cc/day for most surgeons) the drain will usually stay. By this time, you might ask your surgeon about sclerosis, injecting some betadine or tetracycline or alcohol (the latter one hurts) to encourage the pocket to seal itself off.

All the best. 

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD


Seattle Plastic Surgeon
4.6 out of 5 stars 45 reviews

August 14th, 2013

Jp Drains 21 Days After Tt.

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There really is no time limit. Usually the limiting feature is how long the suture holds. As long as more than the threshold drainage (30cc/day for most surgeons) the drain will usually stay. By this time, you might ask your surgeon about sclerosis, injecting some betadine or tetracycline or alcohol (the latter one hurts) to encourage the pocket to seal itself off.

All the best. 


Seattle Plastic Surgeon

How Long to Keep Drains

August 16th, 2013
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Drains in my experience should be removed no later than 21 days. Drains left longer than 14 days can start to become an irritant and produce fluid.  

Dr. ES

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, FACS
August 16th, 2013

How Long to Keep Drains

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Drains in my experience should be removed no later than 21 days. Drains left longer than 14 days can start to become an irritant and produce fluid.  

Dr. ES

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, FACS

Tummy Tuck drains in at 21 days post op.

September 18th, 2016
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Thank you for your question.  Drains are typically removed when there is less than 30cc in the drain for 24 hours.  In most cases, the first drain comes out by day 7 and the second drain by day 14.  Note that the drainage may increase after the first couple of days and the patient moves about more.  Each Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is different.  Please communicate with your Plastic Surgeon your concerns.  Together, you will make a plan.

Web reference: http://www.jjrothmd.com/procedures/tummy-tuck-abdominoplasty/

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS
September 18th, 2016

Tummy Tuck drains in at 21 days post op.

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Thank you for your question.  Drains are typically removed when there is less than 30cc in the drain for 24 hours.  In most cases, the first drain comes out by day 7 and the second drain by day 14.  Note that the drainage may increase after the first couple of days and the patient moves about more.  Each Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is different.  Please communicate with your Plastic Surgeon your concerns.  Together, you will make a plan.

Learn more: http://www.jjrothmd.com/procedures/tummy-tuck-abdominoplasty/

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS

Drains after surgery

August 22nd, 2013
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If that is your total for more than one drain than you have to do the math for individual drains.  Most of us like to remove then at around 30-40 cc per day for an individual drain.  Sometimes, one can have a hematoma and as that liquifies the drainage continues.  If the drainage has not been trending down, then sclerosing agent is a good option.

N. Bill Aydin, MD
August 22nd, 2013

Drains after surgery

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

If that is your total for more than one drain than you have to do the math for individual drains.  Most of us like to remove then at around 30-40 cc per day for an individual drain.  Sometimes, one can have a hematoma and as that liquifies the drainage continues.  If the drainage has not been trending down, then sclerosing agent is a good option.

N. Bill Aydin, MD

Prolonged drainage after a surgery

August 16th, 2013
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When you have large areas that are undermined prolonged drainage is not unusual.  There is no set time to remove drains but you should be in direct contact with  your plastic surgeon and allow him to manage your recovery.  

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
August 16th, 2013

Prolonged drainage after a surgery

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When you have large areas that are undermined prolonged drainage is not unusual.  There is no set time to remove drains but you should be in direct contact with  your plastic surgeon and allow him to manage your recovery.  

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.