How is It Possible to Wear a Compression Garment With Drains?

Question

I can see how a compression garment can be worn after the drains are taken out but while they are in, I dont want to get near them or the incision! How long do you need to have the drains in for? & Is there anything that needs to be applied to the incision during this time like cleaning it or using ointments? While I have the drains in, I really dont want to touch anything. The pain Im prepared for, but my biggest fear is caring for the incision. I dont want to do anything wrong!

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Your drain(s) will exit the pubic area, and your garment will either be an elastic binder fastened to itself with Velcro, or a crotchless girdle-like garment. The drains come out below the binder or through the opening in the garment, and drain care is pretty simple. Your caregiver (family member, friend, or significant other) will be shown how to care for the drain and reservoir by the recovery room nurse or one of your surgeon's other staff, and you can take over this care the next day.

	Your incision should mostly be left alone, but you should follow your surgeon's advice if there are any other instructions given. Usually, the incisions are sealed within a few days after surgery, and applying ointment, peroxide, or other things to your incision is generally NOT advised.

	I use only below-the-skin dissolving sutures (except for a few tiny sutures around the belly button--removed at 1 week post-op) for the tummy tuck incision, so there are no sutures to remove or holes through the skin from stitches. This not only simplifies wound care post-op, but reduces inflammation that can leave more scarring, and gives an overall better result with less "work" for you.

	Most patients have their drains removed by 7-10 days, but this is dependent upon the amount of drainage rather than a length of time. At 3 weeks post-op, Vitamin E oil can be massaged into the scar for 5 minutes daily (usually after showering) to help soften the scar. Mederma or other scar treatments can be used per your doctor's advice and recommendation. Avoid ultraviolet exposure (sun or tanning booth) to your scars for as long as they are pink to avoid dark (permanent) discoloration! But don't worry; your incisions won't look scary, and the wound care is really not a big deal! Best wishes!

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!.  The tummy tuck procedure is an 
excellent method for contouring of your abdomen, often removing the 
excess skin as well as tightening the abdominal wall.  After nearly all 
surgical procedures, a potential space is created from where the 
surgical procedure/dissection was performed.  This is especially true 
for the tummy tuck, in where the abdominal flap is raised off of the 
abdominal wall and then redraped atop the area to contour the abdomen.  
The procedure alone promotes swelling and inflammation, which typically 
lasts for 6-12 weeks.  This may even last longer if liposuction has been
 performed in addition.  During this time, a few things may be done to 
allow adherence of the abdominal skin/soft tissue to readhere to the 
abdominal wall and close that space.  Many surgeons use drains to 
evacuate the expected serous fluid from building up.  Stagnant fluid as 
such may be a nidus for infection as well as does not allow the tissue 
to adhere back to its normal anatomic position.  Drains usually are 
removed once output is <30cc/day - usually removed within 3-4 weeks 
on average, sometimes longer.  When this occurs, a seroma may develop - 
which may require aspiration or surgical evacuation to rid this in order
 to optimize your result.  This is not an uncommon reason for 
persistent swelling and/or bulging in a certain area of your belly.  Of 
course, thwarting the development of a pseudobursa, or seroma capsule, 
is always best, to provide the best result as well as avoid any future 
procedures for this.  This may be a troubling consequence and often 
compromises your overall result.  Thus avoiding this complication, in 
whatever manner, is the objective.  "Drainless" tummy tucks are becoming
 more popular - basically, the overlying tissue is physically sutured to
 the abdominal wall to close the potential space.  In addition, most 
surgeons typically restrict vigorous activity/strenuous exercise as well
 as lifting restrictions of usually <20#, especially the core, for 
6-8 weeks to allow healing to continue.  Most also often recommend an 
abdominal compression-type binder or garment, which will serve to 
provide 
compression as well as assist to decrease swelling and eliminate the 
dead-space of the area for at least 6 weeks as well.  After the initial 
binder, many patients like the Spanx garments.   Most patients are 
able to return to most activities within a couple of weeks, provided 
they adhere to the restrictions.  Overall, this is a procedure 
with a high satisfaction rate.  Discuss the procedure and postoperative 
instructions/restrictions with your surgeon, as these will vary among 
surgeons.  Hope that this helps!  Best wishes!

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Most surgeon place drain tubes after a tummy tuck. These exit the skin through the pubic area. I use a compression garment which covers the patient from mid thighs to just under the breast crease. All compression garment manufacturers make their garments with an open crotch for ease of use of the restroom. The drains are passed through this opening. It seems to me that your biggest concern is postop wound care. This should be minimal, but if you don't even want to look at the scar you need someone to help you or maybe not even embark on surgery.

Jayanthy Ravindran, MS, DNB, MRCS · Answer

Wearing Compression garments has a great impact on the surgical results while speeding the recovery period and helping it to get back in shape. 
While there are many myths circling the compression garments after a postoperative period, getting the right consultation from your doctor will help you take care better and heal faster. Wearing compression garments does help shape and stabilize the body while healing it faster. It has also been proved that those wearing compression belts after surgery experience less pain and a faster recovery period than compared to those who do not wear them. 
The prime purpose of compression garments is to help close the space that is created because of the surgery. This occurs in the case of tummy tuck procedure where the skin flap is raised off the abdomen wall, thereby creating a space. It also occurs with the liposuction procedure, body lift procedures, and so on.
Since the muscle and skin are elevated, they must be brought back to their correct position. This is where compression garments play their role. It encourages the tissue to attach to the abdominal wall by gently closing the space with constant pressure. 
Compression garments come with many benefits out of which few are 
Reduced swelling – It will restrict the edema that mostly occurs after the surgery by putting pressure on the area.
Speed the healing process – The recovery period is faster and increases blood circulation.
Low risk of bleeding and bruising 
Reduces infection risk
Less discomfort and pain.

Thomas R. Walek, MD · Answer

While nobody likes drains, everyone seems to cope with them reasonably well. I personally do not depend on compression after abdominoplasty however I find most people like having the support of a binder post op. If it becomes uncomfortable I discontinue it. Also, I keep it loose so as not to compromise the flap.

How is It Possible to Wear a Compression Garment With Drains?

Answers (6)

Answer: Compression garments are one of the most important parts after the Tummy Tuck Procedure.

Answer: Compression garments are one of the most important parts after the Tummy Tuck Procedure.

Answer: Nobody likes drains!

Answer: Nobody likes drains!

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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How is It Possible to Wear a Compression Garment With Drains?

Answers (6)

Answer: Compression garments are one of the most important parts after the Tummy Tuck Procedure.

Answer: Compression garments are one of the most important parts after the Tummy Tuck Procedure.

Answer: Nobody likes drains!

Answer: Nobody likes drains!

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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.