18 days post op full Tummy tuck and my one JP drain is still draining up to 100 ML's of dark cold blood in 24 hours. (photo)

Question

had a full TT/BL/BA18 days ago. In the previous two years I have lost about 125 LBS through diet and exercise. I Received one shot of Lovenox in recovery room to ⬇️potential for a blood clot/PE. I had my first drain removed 1 week postop it was draining less than 20 ML's and 24 hours. Drainage has always been a very dark red almost oily and viscosity -1 remaining JP drains 50-100 ml( once) in 24 hours. My activity-light walking slowly occ. around neighborhood. Very little bending or twisting

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. It would seem that from the pictures and the story that you had a post-operative hematoma that is now draining through the drain. That large amount of drainage at almost 3 weeks post-op is not typical and certainly not ideal, but if there is a hematoma there, better to drain it than to have it remain. I would recommend close followup with your plastic surgeon and follow his or her recommendations. Sometimes these types of problems can resolve and sometimes they require repeat operation for washout of the hematoma. Best of luck!

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and photos. You either had a hematoma postop or the Lovenox caused some bleeding postop. What you see now is the liquified hematoma draining. As long as there's no infection, the drain should stay in. Follow up closely with your surgeon for management and monitoring of this. Good luck with your healing.

Mark Filstein, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It is hard to see on your photo, but it looks like your have some bulging of the lower abdomen. A side view would be very helpful. Also, a physical exam would help deciding if you have a hematoma.You may need to have a quick portable sonogram to see what is going on.So, the bottom like - go see you PS, 100cc of bloody drainage 18 days after TT is not what we like to see.Good luck.

Terrence Murphy, MD · Answer

The fluid that you are getting out at this time is likely liquefied old blood clot. You may have had some bleeding at the time of surgery which is now coming out.Leaving the drain in until the drainage resolve makes sense. I would follow closely with your surgeon to see if any other intervention is necessary.

18 days post op full Tummy tuck and my one JP drain is still draining up to 100 ML's of dark cold blood in 24 hours. (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Drainage after abdominoplasty

Answer: Drainage after abdominoplasty

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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18 days post op full Tummy tuck and my one JP drain is still draining up to 100 ML's of dark cold blood in 24 hours. (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Drainage after abdominoplasty

Answer: Drainage after abdominoplasty

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.