After Drain Tubes Are Removed, How Long Does It Normally Take for the All the Fluid to Evaporate?

Dear WOB,

 

It sounds like you should see your surgeon. It is important to rule out any fluid collections such as seromas or hematomas. Hopefully you just have normal swelling or edema post operatively. The only way to know for sure is to be examined by your surgeon or another physician. If you do have a collection, it is important for it to be treated ASAP. 

 

Normal tissue swelling can last months although most of it usually resolves within 6 weeks. 

 

Best of luck,

 Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C) 

Thank you for the question. Although it is very difficult to give an accurate opinion without the aid of pictures and/or an in-person exam, this does not sound like the normal progression after an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). The fluid in the body does not evaporate. Typically the drains are removed after the amount of fluid is low enough that the body will able to handle the excess fluid (lymph) just as before the surgery.

After surgery one swells from the inflammation produced as a response to the surgical insult and the also from the severed lymphatics. In time the lymphatics repair themselves and begin to drain excess fluid from the area. During this time the inflammatory response of the body to the trauma of surgery also begins to subside. These events are noticed as a decrease in the swelling of the abdomen. After the drains are removed swelling may persist, however swelling that is tense and/or progressive may be the signal of a fluid collection known as a seroma. These fluid collections need to be drained and at times a drain must be reinserted to resolve the problem.

I would advise that you see your plastic surgeon as soon as possible so that they may examine you in person and determine the best course of action. 

I hope this helps. Best of luck.