During consultations with patients considering tummy tuck surgery, many of the questions focus on the recovery following the procedure. The subject of postsurgical drains can be confusing and even a bit worrisome.
That’s why I wanted to address the subject in a blog post for women and men considering tummy tuck surgery, providing information that will help patients feel more confident about their experiences. Drains may sound scary, but they can actually shorten the recovery time and lower the risk of post-surgical complications.
In this post, I answer some of the most common questions about drains that I hear at Advanced Plastic Surgery Institute.
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Do I have to have drains after tummy tuck surgery?
Understanding how surgeons perform abdominoplasty (tummy tucks) is necessary to appreciate the purpose of post-surgical drains. A tummy tuck removes excess skin and repairs certain abdominal muscles stretched or separated during pregnancy.
After surgeons suture the incisions, a small space remains between the skin and muscle. Fluid composed of plasma can accumulate in this ‘dead space’ and cause complications, including infection, fever, pain, and swelling. One or two drains, inserted at the end of the tummy tuck procedure, reduce the accumulation of these fluids.
These drains are similar to what we use after a more extensive lower body lift procedure.
How do I empty my drains after a tummy tuck?
Essentially, you will need to empty the bulb attached to the drain a few times a day until your surgeon removes the drain. Each time you empty the drain, you’ll record how much fluid is removed. Wash the drainage site with antibacterial soap to prevent the build-up of bacteria, then reattach the collection bulb and reestablish the drain’s suction.
If this seems daunting, don’t worry! We provide easy-to-understand, written instructions about drain care to all our tummy tuck patients. You can also learn more about postsurgical drain care from the National Library of Medicine.
Do drains limit my activities?
Tummy tuck drains are usually sutured into place so patients can generally walk around and resume normal, day-to-day activities with them. The key thing to remember is to protect the drains and keep them clean. Even though you’ll be recovering while you have drains, if you do want to go outside, post-surgical drain belts are available.
Learn more about what to expect as you’re healing in our tummy tuck recovery guide.
How should I prepare to shower after a tummy tuck with drains?
Most people can resume showering about 48 hours after surgery. However, it’s a good idea to plan to take sponge baths or gentle, careful showers to avoid irritating the drains or sutures. After you get out of the shower, gently pat your incisions and the area around the drains dry.
How long do drains stay in after tummy tuck surgery?
How quickly you heal and a variety of other factors will determine how long the drains remain in place. Drains are generally removed within 7 to 10 days of the surgery. Remember, most patients need to take that amount of time off from work after a tummy tuck, so the drains will be removed by the time you head back to work.
Is tummy tuck drain removal painful?
Most patients report that tummy tuck drain removal is more uncomfortable than painful. The process is typically quick, lasting only a few seconds, and many describe the sensation as a brief tugging or pulling feeling rather than sharp pain.
Drain removal is usually done in the office without the need for anesthesia. Your surgeon will first loosen the suture holding the drain in place and then gently slide the tubing out. Some mild pressure or a pinching sensation is normal, but any discomfort is brief and well tolerated by most people.
Your Patience Is Worth the Wait
Tummy tuck recovery and dealing with the drains may seem daunting, but your vigilance and patience can pay off with excellent results. Take a look at some of my patients’ before and after pictures to see why many people feel the trade-off is well worth it.
Tummy tuck procedures are among the most popular surgeries I perform because the results can be transformative, as you can see in more tummy tuck before and after photos of actual patients.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’ve been thinking about getting a tummy tuck and want to learn more, contact us using the online form to request a consultation, or call our Gilbert, AZ, office at (480) 466-7355.
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