Is It Normal for Drain to Pull out Large Blood Clots During Tummy Tuck Recovery?

The drains were put in place to remove the blood/fluid/clots...if the clots slow the normal drainage into the bulb, then this can be fixed in the following way:
1. Undo the cap to release suction and replace the cap in place
2. Take an alcohol swab or moist gauze "strip" the tube towards the bulb, holding the tube closer to the abdomen
3. Keep stripping til the clot breaks into smaller pieces, then
4. Squeeze the bulb and replace the cap...and see if there is normal flow
5. If not, keep repeating 1-4 multiple times
6. If this doesn't work, the surgeon can irrigate the tube with a sterile technique...til there is normal flow.
7. Leave the drains in place til no clots and light yellow drainage, less then 20-25cc per drain per 24 hours.
Your surgeon should evaluate you frequently to mak e sure that you are not accumulating blood under the flap. Good luck! 

            It’s
not unusual for patients to have clots of blood and fibrin within their
surgical drains. This is a normal phenomena that’s managed by frequently
stripping the drains. Although this may be a source of anxiety for patients
this is a normal finding.

             When
patients have large volumes of bloody drainage it’s important to consult your
plastic surgeon immediately. This finding could indicate a more serious problem
such as an abdominal hematoma. Under these circumstances it’s important to make
your plastic surgeon aware of the situation.  

Thanks for your question. Clots are definitely normal. As long as the output is not going up and your abdomen has a normal contour then it is likely okay. Let your surgeon take a look if you are concerned. Best of Luck!

It is very common for there to be large clots in the drains in the first few days post-op from a tummy tuck.  The key is to make sure that the overall output is not too high and that you are keeping your surgeon updated on the output.  If all else is well, I would not be concerned.

Hello. After a tummy tuck it is common to have clots in your drains. The only possible problem with clots is that they can occlude the tubing making the drains ineffective. Ask your doctor how to clean the tubing if they are not functioning correctly. With a new method of doing tummy tucks drains are usually left for five to seven days instead of the usual ten to fifteen days and should drain less but it is not uncommon for clots to form.

Jaime Perez, MD
Mommy Makeover Specialist
Plastic Surgery Center of Tampa

Time to time large clots can travel through the drain.  This is not a problem usually.  Make your surgeon aware of your concerns.

Dr. ES

   The drains should be functional to help fluid egress from the surgical site.  If clots are building up in the tubing, you should make sure you are stripping the drains every couple of hours.   To strip a drain, grasp the tube near the drain stitch with one hand and squeeze the tube with the other until you get to the bulb. 

Some small clots are typically seen in the drain tubes.  The drainage color will also lighten as healing progresses.  I encourage you to discuss your situation with your surgeon to determine if the size and amount of your drainage is within normal limits.

It is not unusual to have clots in the drain after a tummy tuck. We instruct our patients to strip the drains, which pushes the clot into the bulb. If not done, the drain can become obstructed and not function properly. Of course, your surgeon should be informed if the drains are not functioning properly.

It can be normal to see blood clots during the first week after a tummy tuck. This may indicate some bleeding that occurred after surgery and is being collected by the tube. I would make sure that your plastic surgeon is aware of the drainage. If the clots block the drain, you may develop a collection of blood or fluid under your abdominal tissue. If the clots continue to drain along with bright red blood, this indicates that you may have active bleeding. Again, your plastic surgeon will be able to advise the proper course of treatment.