Four to seven days are allotted for the drains to do their job. After the surgeon determines that the drains are no longer necessary, they will be taken out. It is not required to leave drains in for the whole 7 days that they are intended to be used. If there is significant drainage from the surgical site, or if there is worry about fluid accumulation beneath the skin flap, they may be kept in for a longer period of time (seroma).
The quantity of fluids drained from the wound is proportional to the volume of fluids infused during surgery. You may need to keep your drain(s) in for longer than normal if you have significant edema following surgery.learn more about How To Reduce Drainage After Tummy Tuck and Tummy Tuck Drain Fluid Color
How Long Are Drains In After Tummy Tuck
You may be eager to get back in shape after a belly tuck and start flaunting your new form with flattering clothing and an active lifestyle. However, following a stomach tuck, it’s crucial to give your body enough time to recuperate. Get the facts on stomach tuck recovery from the experts at Motakef Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery, lead by Orange County’s most decorated plastic surgeon, Dr. Saba Motakef, including how long you may need to keep drains in place and when you can resume your regular activities.
What does a tummy tuck do?
The stomach tuck, sometimes called an abdominoplasty, is a popular cosmetic treatment that may remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area to create a smoother, flatter, and more toned appearance. A stomach tuck may help almost any healthy man or woman who is unhappy with their appearance due to excess skin or fat but whose weight and overall health are otherwise normal. Patients who have recently given birth, lost a substantial amount of weight, or seen other unfavorable changes to their appearance as a result of age are the most common candidates for this procedure. Problems that often need to be fixed or improved with a stomach tuck .
Skin that droops loosely down the body.
Poorly resolving fat deposits
Abdominal bulge or pouch
Rectal separation (diagnosis: diastasis recti) (separated abdominal muscles)
Hernia
urinary incontinence due to stress
Lack of confidence
Having a hard time finding waist-hugging garments
Dr. Motakef will assess your situation, listen to your concerns, and go over all of your surgical choices with you in great detail at your first appointment to help you decide whether or not a tummy tuck is right for you. The most desirable and long-lasting effects are often achieved with a combination of procedures, such as a mommy makeover or stomach tuck with breast lift.
General anesthesia is required for abdominoplasty, and the treatment typically takes between two and three hours to complete. Dr. Motakef will make a small incision just above the pubic region on the lower abdomen, so the scar is out of sight whether you’re wearing underwear or a bikini. The amount of skin must be removed, as well as the patient’s unique anatomy, will determine the exact length of the incision. Dr. Motakef will next use liposuction to eliminate fat deposits, tighten and strengthen the abdominal muscles, and deal with any additional problems. After any extra skin has been cut away, the patient’s abdominal area will be wrapped in a way that creates a firm, taut, and smooth look. Following this, the incision will be closed and surgical drains may be inserted to assist alleviate any potential for seroma formation due to fluid accumulation. The patient will subsequently spend a little time in the recovery area before being released into the care of a family member or friend.
Drains and incision sites need careful attention to hygiene. Fragrant soaps and lotions may cause skin irritation, so try to avoid using them. The region should be cleaned often with a moderate antibacterial soap and warm water. Avoid using a loofah or other abrasive sponges to clean the region.
How To Reduce Drainage After Tummy Tuck
A belly tuck is a good choice for both men and women who desire a flatter, tighter stomach. In order to get a flatter, firmer stomach, I provide tummy tuck surgery at my clinic in Richmond, Virginia.
Patients considering a stomach tuck often inquire during consultations about the need for drains in the postoperative period. This article will explain the need of drains, their beneficial effects, and what you may do to speed up the healing process.
When fluid builds up after surgery, a drain is utilized to help drain it away. For the stomach tuck treatment, a wide abdominal flap is created by separating the skin and fat from the muscle below. Serous fluid, which the body creates to aid in the healing process, may build up in the “dead space” between the skin and the muscle. When this occurs, seroma or infection may set in.
Two drains are often inserted subcutaneously to assist in the removal of serous fluid and any remaining blood. These openings resemble little light bulbs and are really drains. Squeezing the bulb generates manual suction that aids in the removal of surplus fluid.
At the conclusion of your stomach tuck procedure, your plastic surgeon will likely install drains. After a belly tuck, they are remained in place for a week or more. Within a week following surgery, I typically have most of my patients take out their drains.
When are tummy tuck drains removed?
During the postoperative sessions after your stomach tuck, Dr. Motakef will closely monitor your recovery. Dr. Motakef will assess the drainage and remove the drains if they were installed during the operation. When drains are removed too soon, fluid might accumulate, causing seroma and possibly necessitating fluid aspiration and/or further surgical intervention. After 1–3 weeks, most patients who have had a belly tuck and are required to have drains removed are able to do so. In order to have your drains removed as soon as possible, it is important to follow the postoperative care instructions provided by your doctor. This includes reducing your physical activity as directed (with the exception of light walking to promote circulation), eating a healthy diet, and wearing compressive garments to reduce swelling.
Physically demanding tasks should be avoided for at least two to four weeks after the drains have been removed and the patient has returned to work. A patient’s figure should change visibly soon after surgery, however the final effects may take several months to materialize as the swelling goes down.
Tummy Tuck Drain Fluid Color
After having a belly tuck, you might expect the drainage to lessen with time. The first few days will seem quite gory. As the bleeding subsides and the old blood is drained away, the drainage will darken. A bright yellow or pinkish color develops in the fluid, indicating omaous discharge.
After a tummy tuck, a drain is typically used to prevent the accumulation of fluid at the incision site and the complications that can arise from it. In order to minimize scarring, two drains are usually implanted following a tummy tuck, and they may be removed via the lower abdominal transverse incision. After a belly tuck, patients will be given instructions on how to properly care for their drains at home. You’ll learn to keep the drain suction at the right level and how to accurately record the output. After a stomach tuck, patients often inquire, “How long will I have to have the drains in?”
When drains from a belly tuck are removed too soon, seroma development might occur (fluid collection). Ultrasound examination reveals the presence of a tiny seroma in almost all patients after stomach tuck surgery. If a seroma is visible on imaging, many treatments are available. As long as the collection is little, it may go away on its own. Aspiration may be performed at a subsequent appointment if the growth is big or causing symptoms. Concerns about an infected seroma need prompt drainage in addition to wound care throughout the healing process. The danger of fluid collection at the surgical site may be minimized with the use of drains and the abdominal compression binder following a tummy tuck.
During a normal follow-up session after surgery, the drain will be removed. In most cases, the procedure causes no discomfort. The use of a local anesthetic is unnecessary. First, the suction is turned off and the drain’s securing stitch is undone. Although some discomfort, such as tugging or pressure, may be felt, drain removal is often easily tolerated and completed in a matter of second.
If you’re planning to have tummy tuck surgery, you’re probably already familiar with the many ways in which this procedure can improve your core. Not only does tummy tuck surgery remove loose skin and subcutaneous fat (allowing your muscles to show more prominently), it can heal damaged muscle tissue. For some patients, having a tummy tuck is a necessary step on the road towards achieving strong abdominal muscles. Take a look at our tummy tuck before and after pictures in our photo gallery to get an idea of what can be accomplished.