How Long Should I Expect to Have Surgical Drains After Mommy Makeover Surgery?

Almost every patient who undergoes a mommy makeover gets to
experience the ‘joy’ of drains.Surgical
drains are used to siphon off excess blood and fluid from the operative
area.Most often they are used with
tummy tucks, much less frequently for breast surgery.On the abdomen we have to lift the skin and
fat up off of the muscles in order to shift them down and cut away the
excess.This creates potential space.
Blood and fluid tend to seep from the raw surface area of the flap, and if this
is not drained out (with the surgical drain), it can build up, put pressure on
the incisions and create would healing problems.That fluid pocket is called a seroma, and
seroma formation is a bothersome complication that can be hard to treat.They are much more likely if drains are not
placed or are removed too soon.Usually
drainage from the drains gradually tapers off as healing progresses after
surgery, and typically by 7-14 days post-op the drainage has reduced to the
point that your body can just absorb any excess fluid.They key is how much drainage is coming out
daily from the drain.Usually if it is
less than 25cc in 24 hours it is safe to remove the drains.Everybody is a little different on how long
it takes to get down to a low enough level for drain removal (some people just
make more fluid than others). Don’t be alarmed if on you the drain has to stay
a little longer.Certainly it is easier
to deal with the drain in a little longer than it is to deal with a seroma.

The use of drains varies by surgeon preference and by how each patient recovers.  Typically patients will have drains 7-14 days.  The drainage itself changes over that course.  At the beginning it will be brighter red.  It fades in color over time and often at the end is straw colored.  Your surgeon will guide you as to when the drains are ready to be removed.

My patients will typically have two drains which are placed and come out from just below the wounds on the left and right side. The drains are removed while you are still in hospital 1 -2 days after surgery.  This may vary depending on surgeon preference and the individual.