How long can a drain remain in place post TT?

The maximum time I will leave a drain in following an abdominoplasty is two weeks.  After this point in time, I believe the risk of infection outweighs the risk of fluid collection.  Other surgeons may have different opinions about this subject.

The drains have to stay in place after Tummy Tuck, until the fluid is low enough (less 25cc/24 hours) to avoid the complication of a seroma (pocket of fluid). The time is very different among patients because it will depend on the type of procedure, the more extensive the longer time the drain has to remain. In general 5-15 days. Dr. Cardenas

A Tummy tuck train should be removed based on output, but a drain should not remain in place for more than 2.5 weeks.

For many years drains were common practice in abdominoplasty.  Many surgeons clearly continue in their use.I stopped using drains for abdominoplasty 4 years ago by using internal suturing.  Seroma rate dropped from about 40% to less than 1%.  Infections went from 2% to 0.to answer more directly, drains are two way streets.  the sooner they can be removed the better.good luck.

Teebella,That is a weighted question!!!  There is no right answer.  It is both patient and surgeon dependant.  Generally as a rule, I place one drain in all of my abdominoplasties and remove them when the drainage is less than 50cc's in a 24 hour period.  That being said, usually it is between 5-7 days with a few going as long as 10-14 days (generally on larger patients with liposcution performed on their sides and back).  Your surgeon will decide when you are ready to have your drains removed...no one else.Best of luck,Dr Taranow, NYC Plastic Surgery

This is impossible for me to answer except on an individual basis.  For my patients, it depends totally upon the amount of drainage.  I use two drains except in thinner patients with very little associated liposuction, when I use only one.  For others, the length of time it take to remove the last drain (the first one comes out in 5-7 days), is a function of two major factors.First and foremost is the amount of associated abdominal and flank liposuction performed simultaneously.  I am very aggressive with suction along with tummy tucks. It helps eliminate the "dog ear" issue you may have read about.  But liposuction is also the most important factor in reducing your overall size during the procedure.  Therefore, the more size reduction via suction, the longer you will drain fluid. Secondly, a large separation of the muscle, tightened at the time of the tuck, will increase the time of drainage.  This is an important part of the surgery to say the least.  The bottom line is, the second drain comes out when it is ready.  Five to seven days in thinner patients, two weeks or even longer in very large patients with more extensive procedures. When leaving drains for longer periods, I use small doses of antibiotics to prevent infection and have never had issues with infection. The good news for the larger patients with longer drain times is that the drain can be hidden easily and return to activity time is rarely affected.  

End point is typically amount of drainage, not elapsed time. Most use 30 cc/day as a threshold. We usually see patients at day 5 to remove one or both drains, but the amount of drainage is what decides.To discuss particulars, call your surgeon. All the best. 

Tummy tuck drains are removed after 7-10 days.  The time can be extended for someone that is a bit 'juicy'.  It is better to keep a drain a week too long than take it out a day too early! 

I use 1 drain after a TT and it is usually out in less than a week. I also use progressive tension sutures to seal off the space between the abdmonal wall and the skin and fat layer which has lowered my seroma rate to zero. that being said , I remove the drain at the 2 week interval what ever the drainage.