I'm 5 weeks post-op and still draining 50cc's in a 24hr period. Is this normal and should it be slowing down?

I do not use drains
any more with this procedure and have switched from pain pumps to Exparel which
is a long acting injectable pain medicine like Lidocaine or Marcaine but lasts
for three days. This is injected all along the muscle and skin to provide pain
relief. This is termed the Pain-less, Drainless Tummy Tuck.

If you go to a doctor
who uses #drains, they usually stay in 3-5 days but may be required to remain
in longer.

The best thing to do with questions about your post-op drains is to visit your surgeon with all questions and make sure the healing is progressing as it should. Good luck.

It is unusual for you to have drainage 5 weeks after surgery. You should follow closely with your surgeon. Best of luck.

The answer depends on the details of your surgery and how you've been progressing through recovery.  The drainage tends to lessen over time and goes from a red/dark red to pink to almost straw color.  Express your concerns with your plastic surgeon so that a more detailed explanation can be provided based on your particular circumstance.

It is best to speak directly to your plastic surgeon to evaluate if anything needs to be done next. 

In my experience (using multiple plicating sutures to minimize the space under your tummy flap) most drains are removed by 1-2 weeks. Typically surgeons will remove drains once the drain output is less than 30cc/day x 2 days (but this varies among surgeons). Seems like you are close and as long is the trend is less each day hopefully you will be able to have them removed sooner. 

If the drainage continues your surgeon may elect to perform sclerosing therapy (injection of a material to try to cause local inflammation and decrease the seroma). 

Surjit S. Rai, MD (Dallas Plastic Surgeon) 

Thank you for the question! It is rather difficult to fully evaluate your situation without an in-person exam. It is not uncommon for tummy tuck patients to experience postoperative fluid collections under the skin known as seromas. Seromas often resolve on their own, but may require drains that will stay in for 1-2 weeks.  If you still experience persistent seromas and draining 5 weeks after surgery, I'd recommend alerting your plastic surgeon to your concerns. 

An in-person exam with a board-certified plastic surgeon would be the best way to assess your needs and guarantee a reliable medical advice. Best of luck!