Where exactly do the drainage tubes physically go during a Panniculectomy? (photos)

Hello Anastalgia,So glad to hear your surgery was success!  The drainage tubes are placed under the skin and on top of your abdominal wall (muscle and fascia layer) in the new space that is created due to the surgery.  The drains remove the natural fluid your body makes while it's healing when a space is present that is not normally there. As the space becomes smaller because of healing the fluid decreases enough that your body can absorb it on its own without collecting and the drains are no longer necessary. Hope your healing continues to go well!Dr. Rednam

Thanks for your question.  Drains for a panniculectomy are typically placed between the skin/subcutaneous fat flap that was raised during your surgery and your abdominal wall.  When placed in this space, drains helps to minimize fluid collecting in this space and facilitates healing of the flap over your abdominal wall.  Hope this helps!

Thank you for your question and photographs.  Drainage tubes are placed between a patient's abdominal muscles and the overlying adipose tissue that is lifted during surgery. They are oriented along the areas expected to accumulate fluid, such as along the lower abdomen and occasionally running up the middle of the stomach.  Hope this helps.

So happy that you are recovering well and happy with your result this far. Those tubes are about 10 inches long and are placed under the skin that is elevated and pulled down to your groin. The tibes are important to drain the fluid in this space so that the skin and fat sticks down to the abdominal wall and no further fluid accumulates.