What happens to fluid output after drain removal post surgery?

Your body will naturally absorb the drainage as long as it is not excessive and decreasing in production. If the fluid continues to accumulate, then you can develop a seroma (fluid collection). A seroma is often uncomfortable and requires aspiration (drainage) of the fluid in the clinic setting. Increased activity and absence of compression can influence the development of a seroma. Hopefully you will do well and will not have this issue.

Once the drain output
has dropped enough to pull the drain then the body just absorbs the remaining
fluid over time. That is the simplest way to explain this.

The fluid that accumulate after surgery is related to delayed lymphatics return. During a TT the channels are violated and it takes time for the body to regenerate these channels and return the fluid to the heart. The accumulated fluid essentially tapers down with time.

Hi and thanks for your question. I usually remove drains when there is 25cc or less clear fluid coming out. Drains are foreing bodies and tissues react to them producing some of this fluid, so when they are removed this ends progressively and little amount of fluid can be absorbed by the body.