Is this stringy stuff normal after a tummy tuck in the drain? (Photo)

Question

Christian Subbio, MD · Answer

This looks like a long clot which has worked its way out of the tube. Common after this surgery.Best of luck!
Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm pretty sure you meant "stringy stuff in the drain after tummy tuck," not "tummy tuck in the drain." Can't help it; I raised a PhD daughter who is an English teacher! Your question reminded me of the sentence "We went to throw the horses over the fence some hay, and there they were, gone." But I digress.Yes, this is entirely normal! It is fibrin, the material that clots our blood. This is identical to the "glob" of blood that forms when you have a bloody nose, or collect blood from anywhere (such as a surgical drain).This is absolutely nothing to worry about! Air bubbles in the tube are also normal, and concern many patients, since they heard too many stories about air embolism. These bubbles are in the drain, not your bloodstream. The drain is doing its job, and your blood is clotting like it should. Carry on, and have a great result! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Kenneth Dembny, II, MD · Answer

Initially the draining fluid is red (bloody), but over the course of several days it clears and changes to a yellow or yellow-orange color (serous). During this time some particulate matter begins to appear in the drain. This is usually blood clots and other fibrinous/proteinaceous collections; this is also normal. I usually have my patients strip their drains before emptying them, two times per day. This milks the debris into the bulb. Most surgeons will remove drains when the total output is < 25-30cc per day.
Best wishes on a speedy recovery.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The stringy stuff looks like old clot that accumulates in the drain tubing. That is normal.. Best of luck with your results.

Mark Broudo, MD · Answer

This is entirely normal and is usually just smal pieces of fat, protein and blood clots which need to come out.

Is this stringy stuff normal after a tummy tuck in the drain? (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Old clot

Answer: Old clot

Answer: Drain

Answer: Drain

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Is this stringy stuff normal after a tummy tuck in the drain? (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Old clot

Answer: Old clot

Answer: Drain

Answer: Drain

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.