How is the procedure to remove the drain after Tummy Tuck? Does it hurt?

Take a deep heath in and as the drain comes out take a deep breath out. This sigh of relief will be a distant memory when you appreciate your new tummy. Depending on the drain size and access hole you may or may not feel a pinch upon removal There are techniques of placating the abdominal wall which may avoid a drain, however a drain is used to remove fluid that may collect which would prevent your tummy skin from sticking to your abdominal wall. the drain may help avoid a hematoma or seroma. Good luck....

There is usually some numbness of the area through which the drains are placed which helps diminish any discomfort or pain.  In my practice, I also use very small drains which also helps diminish any pain.  Good luck and be safe.John T. Nguyen, MD, FACS, FICSDouble Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Thank for your question!The pain you could feel would be insignificant, most probably that you don't feel pain at all. If you want you can ask to your plastic surgeon for local anesthesia.Have a nice day!

Depending on the type of drain used, there is little to no pain associated with removal. Drains that have a small flange cause a tugging sensation and a few seconds of pain as the flange comes through the skin, the rest of the drain slides out easily. Drains without a flange slide out once the suture is snipped with no pain. Sometimes you can feel the drain as it slides through the tissue, but it is not painful.

With my patients I remove the drain after five to seven days depending on how much is coming out over a twenty four hour period. I'm very patient and have waited up to two weeks. The drain is removed in the office and feels like mild pain Nd discomfort. My patients will take one tablet of Percocet and ask their husband to drive. Hope this answers your q

Most of the time if the surgeon uses a drain as part of and abdominoplasty it slides out easily with little if any pain.

If your surgeon uses a round drain (and most do), then they usually slip right out uneventfully. It looks like a much bigger deal than it is. Take a deep breath, hold it, and out it comes! It will be over quickly and done with the drain you will be!

Drain removal is very simple in tummy tucks and takes less than 10 seconds in most hands. The person removing the drain will take off gauze and then clip the suture and quickly pull the drain  out. Drian coming out lasts 1 second in my office and is associated with a quick sting like a shot. After this we place antibiotic ointment on the drain site and cover with gauze. Best of luck! Its over quick.

Hello,In  general drain removal is not painful and it is over in a few seconds.  For the past  1 1/2  years or so, we have been able to do a tummy tuck in the vast majority of patients without using any drains at all.  That is a huge improvement for patient comfort and it is also welcomed by caretakers who do not have to empty drains and record how much is coming out. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon for best answers to all your question.  Best wishes,Below is information on tummy tucks. 

I agree with the other doctors who have posted so far.For most people, it doesn't hurt much at all. It also is over very quickly and the pain then goes right away.I believe by being gentle it hurts less.This can make a big difference.Good Luck!Dr Chris Saunders