How long can the drain stay? I am 5'3, 120 pounds, and had a full TT. No liposuction was needed on my abdomen or flanks, although I did have lipo done on my thighs. What is the reason for so much drainage at 4 weeks?
Answer: Drain still in 4 weeks after tummy tuck is not common.
Sometimes persistent drainage is related to excessive activity that prevents the skin flap from adhering to the underlying abdominal wall tissues. Sometimes there may be contamination or sub-clinical infection of the drain itself, which can cause persistent drainage. Removal of the drain is sometimes all that is necessary in this situation, but as often as not, another drain will need to be reinserted.
If the drainage is clear and yellowish (not cloudy or foul-smelling), perhaps your surgeon will consider sclerotherapy, where tetracycline is dissolved in a small amount of saline and inserted into the drain tube with mild pressure (never forced). This causes irritation and inflammation that can aid the tissues in "sticking" down and allowing the drainage to diminish until appropriate for removal. Every surgeon uses a slightly different amount, but I generally feel that less than 25-30cc per 24 hours is the time to pull the drain. Of course, a check to see if you are retaining fluid after drain removal (sclerotherapy or not) is a good idea within 3-7 days.
If a pseudobursa is allowed to persist for too long, sometimes re-operation to remove the fluid pocket is necessary to allow things to completely heal. Quilting sutures can aid the healing process, both at the initial surgery, and at pseudobursectomy, if needed. Good luck!
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
Book a consultation
CONTACT NOW Answer: Drain still in 4 weeks after tummy tuck is not common.
Sometimes persistent drainage is related to excessive activity that prevents the skin flap from adhering to the underlying abdominal wall tissues. Sometimes there may be contamination or sub-clinical infection of the drain itself, which can cause persistent drainage. Removal of the drain is sometimes all that is necessary in this situation, but as often as not, another drain will need to be reinserted.
If the drainage is clear and yellowish (not cloudy or foul-smelling), perhaps your surgeon will consider sclerotherapy, where tetracycline is dissolved in a small amount of saline and inserted into the drain tube with mild pressure (never forced). This causes irritation and inflammation that can aid the tissues in "sticking" down and allowing the drainage to diminish until appropriate for removal. Every surgeon uses a slightly different amount, but I generally feel that less than 25-30cc per 24 hours is the time to pull the drain. Of course, a check to see if you are retaining fluid after drain removal (sclerotherapy or not) is a good idea within 3-7 days.
If a pseudobursa is allowed to persist for too long, sometimes re-operation to remove the fluid pocket is necessary to allow things to completely heal. Quilting sutures can aid the healing process, both at the initial surgery, and at pseudobursectomy, if needed. Good luck!
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
Book a consultation
CONTACT NOW Answer: Tummy Tuck
We usually have our drains at 20cc each or less by day 7-10. This very unusual and should be a concern by your doctor unless there is a condition they are aware of and this is what they expect.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW Answer: Tummy Tuck
We usually have our drains at 20cc each or less by day 7-10. This very unusual and should be a concern by your doctor unless there is a condition they are aware of and this is what they expect.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW
June 13, 2017
Answer: Prolonged drainage following a tummy tuck
The usual period for leaving drains following a tummy tuck is 4- 6 days. Occasionally this period may need to be prolonged. It is unusual to keep the drains in fo 4 weeks and to still have 40-50cc of drainage per day. You should consult with your surgeon to find out what is happening and to also identify the nature of the drainage. Is it clear, bloody or cloudy? You may need to have a culture taken.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW June 13, 2017
Answer: Prolonged drainage following a tummy tuck
The usual period for leaving drains following a tummy tuck is 4- 6 days. Occasionally this period may need to be prolonged. It is unusual to keep the drains in fo 4 weeks and to still have 40-50cc of drainage per day. You should consult with your surgeon to find out what is happening and to also identify the nature of the drainage. Is it clear, bloody or cloudy? You may need to have a culture taken.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW
FIND THE RIGHT
TREATMENT FOR YOU
October 3, 2018
Answer: 4 weeks after tummy tuck, drain still in
Placing a drain during an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a routine procedure. Depending on the surgeon there may be one drain or multiple drains. Usually the drain comes out around during the first week, but occasionally the surgeon may need to keep it for a longer period of time because the drain may be putting out a significant amount of liquid. In my practice, I tend to remove the drain when they produce less than 50cc a day. However it is still your surgeons’ preference, but 40-50cc a day seems like a reasonable amount to remove the drain.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW October 3, 2018
Answer: 4 weeks after tummy tuck, drain still in
Placing a drain during an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a routine procedure. Depending on the surgeon there may be one drain or multiple drains. Usually the drain comes out around during the first week, but occasionally the surgeon may need to keep it for a longer period of time because the drain may be putting out a significant amount of liquid. In my practice, I tend to remove the drain when they produce less than 50cc a day. However it is still your surgeons’ preference, but 40-50cc a day seems like a reasonable amount to remove the drain.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW
June 13, 2017
Answer: I Am 4 Weeks Postop and Still Have One Drain, Draining 40-50cc/day. Is That Normal?
Not very common but in my 34 years I have sen this issue in a handful of patients. Best to try to remove old drain and re inert an new one in a minor surgery. Or seek a second in person opinion.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW June 13, 2017
Answer: I Am 4 Weeks Postop and Still Have One Drain, Draining 40-50cc/day. Is That Normal?
Not very common but in my 34 years I have sen this issue in a handful of patients. Best to try to remove old drain and re inert an new one in a minor surgery. Or seek a second in person opinion.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW