Is it normal to drain more on one side than the other?

It is very common for one side to drain more than the other. This could be due to many factors. The drains might be in slightly different locations underneath your skin.  It is also possible that your positioning as caused one drain to accumulate more than another.  Lastly, one drain might be functioning better than the other due to debris that might be slightly occluding the drain.  Do not worry about it. Keep an accurate log of the output and make sure that your surgeon is aware.  At 11 days post op, your drainage output should be decreasing.

Hello! Thank you for your question! It is not uncommon to drain, such as what you describe, immediately after your procedure. The drainage should slowly decrease over the next few weeks, at which time, your surgeon will determine when your drains will be removed. It is common for the drains to be placed in separate locations atop your abdominal wall, with one drain usually in the more dependent position. Thus, it is common for this drain to have more output than the more superiorly located drain.  Fluid can also collect in different spaces, not being captured by the drain.  This often resolves with movement/compression, and then eventually drained in the normal fashion.As long as the drainage appears non-bloody and a clear, serous fluid, it is expected. If tehre is a sudden increase in the drain output or change to a more blood-appearing fluid with other signs/symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention. Your description sounds normal. If there are any concerns, it is recommended to call and discuss with your surgeon. Hope that this helps! Best wishes for a wonderful result!

Nothing to worry about if one drain produces more than the other.  Occasionally one will get clogged or kinked or who knows what and they can stop producing.  Sometimes they pick up again in a few days.  The real issue is that you want whatever fluid is in the area to come out by any means necessary.  It really isn't worth concerning yourself with.Good Luck, and I hope you get a Fabulous result!

It is completely normal the difference on amount of fluid among drains.get removed the one that is not producing fluid and let the other in place until is time to get it removed. Be encouraged. Dr. Cardenas

It can absolutely be normal.  Most surgeons place one drain extending up high and the other low, across the abdominal wall.  Depending on your position, one drain may drain more than the other.  Rarely, however, the mismatch in drain output can be abnormal.  If you have bright red, abdundant bleeding from one side compared to the other, make sure there are no skin changes such as purple/black skin, skin stretched tight, excessive swelling, etc.  Ask your surgeon or the surgeon's nurse to be sure.

Each side of a tummy tuck will drain differently, so that is perfectly normal. It sounds like your total amounts are low so that is encouraging.  Keep your surgeon advised of the total drainage so you can have your drains removed when they are ready. The drain technique is the most common, but there is a no drain technique that we also use (video below).  Best of luck, sounds like your recovery is going well.

When in doubt always,always check with your doctor first.It is common for one drain to be draining more or less than the other and also to vary from day to day.