Is pinching and pain normal after drain removed?

Question

11 days post op bilateral thigh lift. Drains removed yesterday and later that day I have had a burning/piercing on one thigh and severe pain that I didn't have before drain was removed.

Marie E. Montag, MD · Answer

When a drain comes out most patients complain that it is painful at the skin, and sometimes there is a burning sensation inside along the tract that the drain came out of for 5-10 seconds…then it typically feels better since it is no longer there! Unfortunately, a few patients have an experience more like yours where it remains sore and stingy for a while. Most often this resolves within 24-48 hours…it is very rare for it to last longer than that. There are a few things you could try to help reduce your symptoms. First, I would try gently massaging over the drain site and the tract it ran along. You could also try ice to the area (but NOT heat). Increasing the compression over the area (ie: an ace bandage can help –but not too tight!) and I would try some Tylenol. If these are not successful, or if it gets worse, or persists…please get back into your plastic surgeons office, as there can be other reasons for pain that may not even be related to your drain.

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

I would expect that this is due to the removal of the drain. However, as you describe the pain as severe, I would advise seeking immediate help from your surgeon.

Carlos Mata, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

thank you for your question. Depending on the type of drain that it that is used, There can be a lot of pain afterwards that sometimes takes anywhere from 3 to 7 days to subside. If the drain is flat, Then typically there is more pain at the hole where the drain comes out as the hole is smaller than the drain itself. If the drain is round then typically it's exactly the same size as the hole it came from. Give it sometime And put some antibiotic ointment to help prevent any infection. you can always massage the area. If you have further concerns please call your plastic surgeon and make sure that something else is not going on that's is causing this pain.  congratulations on your thigh lift surgery. Good luck.All the best,Carlos Mata MD,MBA, FACSBoard-certified plastic

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

All severe pains need to be evaluated by your own surgeon. However pinching and burning sensation after a drain removal is within normal range.

Francisco Sauceda, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Pain and burning sensation can be normal after taking the drains out. This can last for one or two days, if this last longer please get an evaluation for your surgeon .

Is pinching and pain normal after drain removed?

Answers (5)

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