I have severe pain on left side of abdomen after drain removal. Is it normal?

Thank you for your question.  It is normal to experience some discomfort as your msucles and scars are adjusting.  If it continues then please follow up this week with your plastic surgeon.  Best of luck. 

The answer to your question is no, it is not normal to have severe pain after drain removal, Mild pain for a short period of time is not uncommon. The fact that your drains were left in for three weeks (longer than typical) might also have something to do with it. If your surgeon used non-fluted drains, it can be more traumatic to the tissue when removed after 3 weeks of healing. My recommendation is to be patient. The pain should resolve.

Thank you for your questions and I am sorry to hear about your abdominal pain after having your drains removed.  Some patients will have pain at the skin site that can be sore or burning.  This normally resolves within a day of the drains being removed.  Because your pain appears to be far worse than this, I would certainly be in touch with your surgeon to voice your concerns about such an acute change.  An in-person examination would help rule out possibilities like a fluid collection development or other issue.  

It is not unusual to have some pain in  the first day or so after a drain removal.  However, if the pain persists, or you note increasing swelling, redness, or a fever you should let your surgeon know, immediately.  It is possible that the drain removal caused some bruising/bleeding and with rest and local pressure may resolve on its own.  But keep your surgeon informed.  He/she will be the best one to treat and reassure you.  Best wishes, Dr. Lepore.