Is It Time to Take out the Last Drain Tube from a Tummy Tuck Done 30 Days Ago?

     This plan does not seem unreasonable given your description.

 

 

 

Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

One month after abdominoplasty, it is very rare to still have a drain left in place.  Most of the time, the drains are pulled out at 1-2 weeks unless you had aggressive liposuction.  Quite often when a drain is left in place too long, it can form a capsule around it and that track can accumulate fluid around it like seroma.  At 30-35 cc / day, it is probably safe to remove the drain.

The general rule is for the drainage to be less than 30 cc over a 24 hour period prior to removing the drain.  However some times the drain just makes the body make more fluid.  Your plastic surgeon will need to use his best judgment as to the timing of removing the drain.