4 weeks post op extended Tummy Tuck, is it normal for the drains to be still in?

Question

extd tummy tuck 4 weeks ago. still have drains in. 6 blood trans. & blood clots pooling on my left side. opened up 3x operated on 4. traumatic. been 4 weeks, 25 cc's in 24 hours feels like it's unachievable. 1 Drain is around 25cc ' the other is pushing 50. Is it bad to have drains in for 4 weeks +?? I have been on bed rest for a week & the 1 just doesn't seem to be slowing down or lessening. I put poly on my drain holes daily , I do not see any signs of infection. What can I do besides rest?

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

You should deathly follow your physicians instructions. For your course of treatment and recovery having a drains for four weeks does not sound atypical.

David Mathes, MD · Answer

Your experience sounds like a tough one. Generally, I try to
remove drains before 4 weeks but in certain situations I might leave them him
longer. The drains are unpleasant but there is no significant risk to leaving
them in longer. That said, at some point they will have to be removed. Often if
one drain is less than 30cc I decide to remove it and leave the other in place. However, these
decisions are ones that have to be made by your surgeon. I don’t see a benefit to bed rest. Sometimes you can infuse a sclerosant through the drain and the
use of a compression garment to try and stop this process.

J. Garrett Harper, MD · Answer

So sorry to hear about your post-operative course.  Extended abdominoplasties are really big surgeries and I am sorry you have had to go through so much.  After that much blood loss and hematomas, your body gets into a pro-inflammatory state and excess fluid production is not uncommon at all.  The swelling that your body wants to get rid of does so through the path of least resistance, which for you now is your abdominal drains.  I encourage you to get up and move around to prevent DVTs and need to wear a compression garment to help things along.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

None of this sounds particularly normal, in particular the 6 transfusions.  There is really not enough info such as what was found at surgery, why the repeat operations.If drainage of clear yellowish fluid were the sole remaining problem, sclerosis would be an option--injecting, though the drain an agent (betadyne tetracycline alcohol) which often stops the drainage. Follow with your surgeon, or consider a second opinion. Best wishes

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

I hear your frustration and without an examination it is anyone's guess when the drainage will stop so follow your surgeon's instructionsDr Corbin

4 weeks post op extended Tummy Tuck, is it normal for the drains to be still in?

Answers (5)

Answer: 1 month

Answer: 1 month

Answer: Drainage

Answer: Drainage

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4 weeks post op extended Tummy Tuck, is it normal for the drains to be still in?

Answers (5)

Answer: 1 month

Answer: 1 month

Answer: Drainage

Answer: Drainage

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.