Day 16 after Tummy tuck and I still drain over 100 cc. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your question. Congratulations on your surgery. After two weeks the drains are usually out. Sometimes over activity is the culprit for the drain not slowing down. If the drain is pulled too early the fluid will likely form a seroma that will need to be drained. More importantly however the fluid build up can form a wall around it making it hard for your body to absorb. This can result in another surgery. Your surgeon will hopefully be able to explain your expected scenario. Best of Luck!

Dear Jazguesal,

100 cc a day is still too high and is unusual
16 days after surgery. This is one of the reasons why I like to use a
progressive tension technique to tack the skin and fat flap down to the muscle to
lessen this chance. Typically, you need to be draining under 30 cc per drain
per day to safely remove it and let the body absorb it. Be sure you keep
compressive garment on and keep your activity level low.

I hope this has been helpful.

Robert D. Wilcox, MD

Thanks for your question and congrats on getting through the first few weeks after surgery.  At this point, I would leave your drains in for a few more days and hope to see a decrease in fluid.  I know this is hard to hear as the drains are a pain.  However, having to manually pull fluid due to collection is much more painful and difficult than leaving the drains in for a few more days.  Keep in touch with your plastic surgeon and continue to record your 24 drain volume.  Wishing you the best,Steven Camp MD#HappyCamperMD 

Thank you for your question.  At 100ccs of liquid still draining, I would have to advise the drains need to stay in for now.  I don't typically see that much output 16 days after surgery.  Are you following your surgeon's post operative care instructions carefully?  It is important you don't try to do too much right away and let your body rest and have a chance to heal. Please contact your surgeon and follow their instructions. Best of luck with your recovery!