I'm not draining any fluid after my tummy tuck today. Should I be worried?

Question

I had a tummy tuck today and I'm concerned because I'm not really drain in any fluids....should I be concerned

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hello, occasionally there is little wound drainage after a tummy tuck, but drain output can also be low if the drain is clogged or simply in a different location than where the fluid is accumulating.   I would recommend discussing this with your surgeon.

Jose M. Soler-Baillo, MD, MS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I would not be too concerned about the lack of drainage as each patient drains differently.  If you are concerned about drain placement though, please see your operating surgeon.All the best,

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question about tummy tuck drain output.It's hard to say online.  This is something that you should call your plastic surgeon's office and get his or her instructions specifically.I hope this helps.

Payman Danielpour, MD, FACS · Answer

It is not clear how many days after surgery you are but depending on how many days post op you are, you may not be draining anymore and can have the drains removed

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

If you were draining a lot and then suddenly stopped, the drains may be clogged.  If you never really drained that much, I wouldn't worry about it.

Naveen Setty, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your surgery!  Every patient is different in how much drainage they will have in their drain tubes after surgery.  Some depends on how much liposuction was done.  If you have any concerns, please contact your surgeon.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It is likely since you are so recently out from surgery that your body hasn't placed any fluid into the space where your tummy tuck was done.  That said, any drains placed in surgery are a preventive maneuver, and some patients do not drain any fluid through them.  Keep an open dialogue with your physician, especially if you start to see any discrete areas of swelling in your abdomen, but i would not be concerned at this early stage.  Best of luck with your recovery!

Pedro M. Soler, Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. As long as you do not appear to be collecting fluid, then you should be fine. The drains are placed as a precaution so that fluid does not build in the potential space (area dissected by the surgeon) that was developed during your surgery. I would recommend continued close follow up with your surgeon as they are in the best position to evaluate and treat you in the post operative period. I hope this helps, Best wishes.

I'm not draining any fluid after my tummy tuck today. Should I be worried?

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