I typically recommend drains for a minimum of 2-3 days after tummy tuck surgery. If you’re having liposuction of the waistline, I would recommend drains for 2-3 days. As you heal, you can remove the drain on your own or have it removed by the nurse or doctor.
Some patients may need their drains longer than others due to the amount of fluid needed during their procedure. The length of time required depends on how much fat was removed and how much fluid is produced by your body during healing. Read on to learn more about How Long Do You Have Drains In After Tummy Tuck, Sleeping Without Compression Garment After Tummy Tuck and How Long To Wear Binder After Panniculectomy
How Long Do You Have Drains In After Tummy Tuck
When it comes to a significant plastic surgery procedure like a tummy tuck, we want our patients from Harrisburg, Lancaster, Carlisle, and York, PA, to understand the recovery process and what they can expect to experience after surgery.
I have performed hundreds of tummy tucks throughout my career as a board-certified plastic surgeon and body contouring specialist. Generally, my patients love their results and report that with the proper recovery care, their surgical sites have healed successfully and led to long-term positive changes to their bodies and their confidence.
In this post, I’d like to give you an idea of what the recuperation process entails so you can be best prepared for your procedure.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
Focusing on rest and recovery is essential when it comes to ensuring long-lasting results following your procedure. Tummy tuck patients can typically return to their usual activities within a few weeks, and I will equip patients with detailed information on how best to help the healing process in that time.
One important component of recovery care is the use of drains, which allows excess fluid to leave the body rather than building up around the incision site. Fluid is redirected through tubes into bulbs designed for easy emptying and cleaning. Caring for these bulbs and the drains themselves plays a major role in encouraging the body to recover quickly and effectively.
How to Care for Surgical Drains
Drains are placed in the abdomen to collect fluids after surgery, and you will need to empty them regularly in the beginning of the recovery process. The first day following your procedure, you will need to empty the bulbs every few hours. After a few days, fluid will dispel more slowly, and you’ll only need to empty the bulbs when they are half full, which is typically 2 to 3 times a day.
In addition to emptying the bulbs, you will also need to clean the drain site daily to reduce the risk of infection. If you notice any signs of infection, such as redness, rash, or a fever, you should contact your surgeon immediately.
Typically, surgical drains are removed within a week of surgery.
With proper recovery care, your tummy tuck surgical site should heal at a healthy rate and lead to the long-lasting results our patients love.
Sleeping Without Compression Garment After Tummy Tuck
The first few days after tummy tuck surgery are the most important. You need to get your body into the right position, so that healing will occur properly. This is why it’s important to use proper post-surgical compression garments.
Sleeping without compression garments can cause skin irritation and sores, especially on your belly area where you have had a lot of skin removed during surgery.
After a tummy tuck, you should be able to wear a normal nightgown or pajamas without any problems. But if you are planning on sleeping in more formal clothes, then it’s best to wear an extra layer of clothing between your skin and the bed sheets. If you’re still having trouble sleeping comfortably after several weeks following surgery, take these steps:
Try sleeping on your side rather than on your back or stomach.
Wear an extra layer of clothing between your skin and the bed sheets.
If this doesn’t solve the problem, then talk to your surgeon about getting some additional post-surgical care from him or her to help reduce pain and swelling in these areas as well as help improve blood flow throughout the body so that healing can continue at a faster rate.
Sleeping without compression garment is important, especially if you want to reduce the swelling and the risk of skin breakdown. This may occur during the first few weeks after surgery.
You should avoid getting into bed or sitting on a hard surface for at- least 4 hours after surgery and 8 hours after your operation. You should not lie flat on your back or stomach while sleeping. Placing a pillow under your knees will help support your legs.
If you wake up frequently during the night, it is likely that there are still some stitches in place which are causing pressure on your incision line. Your surgeon may recommend that you wear a special girdle for a few days to reduce bruising, swelling and pain; this will protect against pulling stitches out accidentally when you move about in bed.***
You should wear a compression garment at night for the first few weeks after surgery. You can wear it under your clothes or over your clothes, but it’s important to remember that it will not be as effective if you wear it under your clothes because then it won’t fit properly.
You will need to wash and dry the compression garment every day so that it remains clean and dry. If you do not wash and dry your compression garment every day, it will begin to smell and may feel damp, which could cause skin irritation or infection.
The compression garments are made with a special material that is designed to keep the tummy tuck incisions from getting sweaty or moist so they do not become infected or irritated. They also help prevent scarring around the incision lines by keeping them cool and dry. If a patient develops an infection in their incision lines, they should contact their doctor immediately so that they can be treated properly with antibiotics or other prescription medications.*
How Long To Wear Binder After Panniculectomy
It is important to wear a binder following any weight loss surgery, including panniculectomy. The binder is used to support the skin and help it heal. It can be worn for several weeks or even months after surgery, depending on your needs.
Wearing a binder after panniculectomy is very important in helping you to achieve your weight loss goals safely and effectively. You should wear it for at least six weeks, but it can be worn longer if needed.
You should use the size of binder that is recommended by your surgeon, which may include a layer of gauze between the garment and flesh to prevent irritation or infection.
How long should I wear a binder after panniculectomy?
It’s best to wait at least two weeks before wearing a binder. You should be able to bend over and touch your toes. Your doctor will help you decide when it’s okay to start wearing one.
If you’re still healing and have pain, talk to your doctor about whether or not it’s safe for you to wear one.
If you’re experiencing any signs of infection, like redness, swelling or drainage from the incision site, contact your doctor immediately.
You shouldn’t wear a binder for more than one week at a time because it may interfere with your recovery process and make it harder for healing to progress.
If a patient has had panniculectomy, they should wear a binder for at least one year. If they are overweight, they will need to wear it longer.
The binder should be worn in the stomach area, not around the waist or hips. The binder should be worn over a tight-fitting garment that covers the abdomen and groin area. This will help prevent skin irritation and allow for easy adjustment of the binder.
The binder should be worn for at least 8 weeks after a panniculectomy.
Your binder will help protect your skin and allow it to heal by keeping the skin stretched.
After 8 weeks, you may take the binder down and start wearing it less often.
The binder should be worn for at least 4 hours each day. If you do not think that is comfortable, talk to your plastic surgeon about other options.
The binder should be worn for at least 4 weeks after the operation. If you have lost a lot of weight, it may be necessary to keep the binder on longer than this.
The binder should be removed when your clothes fit again. Usually this means that you can wear dresses again and are able to do some housework or other activities without being embarrassed by the binders. You should not try to squeeze into your old clothes until they fit again (if they ever will).