How to Stop Tummy Tuck Drainage?

AS the other physicians have said, 4 weeks is a long time because most drains come out at 1-2 weeks in over 90% of patients. Having said that, occasionally I have had a patient in whom drainage persists far longer than that and I take each patient as an individual and discuss the options. Therefore you should discuss this with your surgeon whose management options may differ from mine.
In these situations, I have clamped off the drain for several hours to try to "train" the body to absorb the fluid. After several hours, I place the drains to bulb suction and measure the quantity to see if their body responds. If it does, I will remove the drain with relative confidence. In situations where it does not, I would remove one drain at a time and watch the response. Usually by 4 weeks, I have done this because the drains begin to cause discomfort at the exit site. I inform patients they may need to come back for repeated aspirations if the fluid recurs. Fortunately the skin tends to be numb. Repeated aspirations usually result in successful management despite the incovenience of multiple trips to the office.

The vast majority of abdominoplasty patients have their
drains removed within two weeks of their surgical procedure. We generally wait
until the drainage has dropped below 25cc in a 24 hour period. Unfortunately,
some patients have persistent drainage for longer periods of time. In some
cases we’ve seen patients drain for four to six weeks. When this situation
arises we worry about the potential for infection, since these drains are a two
way street.When
this situation arises we continue the use of compression garments and minimize
activity levels. Rarely sclerosing agents are used to decrease drainage.Occasionally
none of these treatments work and the surgeon is left with a difficult
decision. In these cases, drains may actually stimulate drainage. Under these
circumstances, the surgeon may elect to pull the drains even though the
drainage is still high. If fluid accumulates percutaneous aspiration can be
used to address the problem.It’s
important to maintain close contact with your surgeon. Your surgeon should be
able to formulate a plan that successfully manages this problem.

The fact that you have had your drains for 4 weeks is some what normal usually in most patients the drains come off after 1 week or 1 week and a half , but it does happen usually aside from the fact that it happens in large surgeries it is also caused when to much movement is made when the patient does not follow the indications properly which is doing the minimum activity that causes there to be more accumulation of liquid. But if you are now draining 60 cc your are ready to take them out and with lymphatic massages or aspirating the liquid that you have left. 

Hope this helps , Regards 

I am sorry for your continued drainage.  Unfortunately increased drainage is seen in larger tummy tucks. 
I always use drains on my abdominoplasties and feel it is essential for optimum wound healing.  If you were my patient I would l continue using the drains until they have drained at less than 30 cc for 2 continuous days. 
I suggest you consult with your surgeon if anything can be injected into the drain ports to sclerose the cavity.  With patients that have persistent drainage from their wounds, I sometimes inject a sclerosing antibiotic into the drain site to help promote rapid collapse of the fluid chamber.  It is also possible that you have developed a seroma in your abdominal cavity.  You and your surgeon need to discuss this possibility and to determine the next step. 
Other less invasive procedures include wearing a tight abdominal binder to maximize external pressure on the wound.
 
Thank you, J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS

If you’re experiencing excessive drainage after a tummy tuck surgery, it’s important to follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions. Here are some general tips:
1. Keep the incision clean: Gently clean the incision site as directed by your surgeon to prevent infection.2. Change dressings: Regularly change the dressings or bandages as advised by your surgeon. This can help absorb excess drainage.3. Compression garments: Wearing compression garments can help reduce swelling and fluid buildup.4. Stay hydrated: Proper hydration can support your body’s natural healing process and reduce fluid retention.5. Avoid strenuous activity: Rest and avoid strenuous physical activities to minimize the risk of increased drainage.6. Follow dietary guidelines: Your surgeon may provide dietary recommendations to help with healing and drainage control.7. Consult your surgeon: If you’re concerned about the amount of drainage, contact your surgeon for guidance. Excessive drainage may indicate a complication that needs medical attention.
It’s crucial to communicate with your surgeon throughout the recovery process to ensure the best possible outcome and address any concerns.