How Much Fluid Should Be Draining After Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for your question.  Drains are typically removed when there is less than 30cc in the drain for 24 hours.  In most cases, the first drain comes out by day 7 and the second drain by day 14.  Note that the drainage may increase after the first couple of days and the patient moves about more.  Each Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is different.  Best to share the goals with them, and together you will make a plan. 

Thank you for your question.  There is no right amount of draingage after a tummy tuck.  What you have described is entirely normal.  Some patients will have more drainage depending on their weight/BMI, addition of liposuction to the procedure, and extent of tummy tuck.  Some surgeons will use internal “quilting” sutures to help reduce the space under the skin flap which helps reduce drainage as well.  Sounds like you are doing well and hopefully can get your drain out soon.  Good luck. 

It’s
normal for patients to have drainage following abdominoplasty surgery.The amount of drainage varies from patient to
patient and depends upon a multitude of variables.These include the extent of the surgical
procedure, activity levels, the amount of intraoperative bleeding, and the use
of tumescent fluid when combined with liposuction. In the
first 24 hours the amount of fluid that drains may be as high as 300cc’s.With time drainage usually slows, and when
the levels drop sufficiently the drains can be removed.In our practice we typically remove drains
when they drop below 25cc per 24 hours. Although
your drainage is definitely on the low side, it’s still within the normal
range.Under these circumstances, you’ll
probably have your drains removed sooner rather than later.If you
have questions about your drainage, it’s important to consult your plastic
surgeon.Your surgeon should be able to
reassure you and alleviate your anxiety.

Drainage tubes are important after abdominoplasty surgery to remove fluid- output can be variable, from 20 ml to 200 or 300 ml per day. This depends on how extensive your surgery was as well as the technique that was used - different methods can minimize drainage. Drain output may be on the higher side if liposuction was done since the "tumescent" fluid that is injected into the fatty layer is not all suctioned out during surgery, so this residual fluid will come out of the drains as well. It is important to keep the drains in until the output has decreased to a certain volume- my rule of thumb is to remove drains when the output is less than 30 ml over a 24 hour period. A little pearl: since skin irritation at the drain sites is common, lidoderm patches (have numbing medicine impregnated into the patches) can help with discomfort.

This is normal.  The amount of fluid will vary day to day and gradually reduce.  The amount may fluctuate depending on your activity and if liposuction was performed.  It is important not to remove them to early.