– Is drain removal painful? Patients may experience a pulling or pressure sensation, however there is generally no pain experienced during drain removal. Drain removal takes only a few seconds. The stitch securing the drain in place is first removed followed by gentle removal of the drainage tube.
Having a drain removed usually does not hurt, but it can feel rather odd as the tubing slides out of the body. The incision is then covered with a dressing or left open to the air. Stitches usually are not needed. But it's a good idea to avoid swimming or soaking in a tub for several days.
A reported method to decrease pain while removing the drain is injection of lidocaine through the skin around the drain tube [14].
Generally speaking, most patients who require tummy tuck drains are able to have them removed after about 1 – 3 weeks.
Infection
One of the most significant risks of removing your tummy tuck surgery drains too early is infection. Any time a wound is left open and exposed to bacteria, an infection can quickly set in. This may lead to increased pain and swelling and changes to the appearance of the scar.
After drain removal, cover the site with a Band-Aid or dressing for one day. After one day, the hole usually is closed. You can use a Band-Aid or other dressing if there is leakage from the hole. Shower and bathe as usual.
The drained fluid is collected into a dressing, bag, or container. You should see the drainage decrease after you go home, and you may see it change color. You should be shown how to empty the drain before you are discharged, and you should ask if you need to measure the drainage.
If drains are left in place too long after tummy tuck, this may promote ongoing drainage. It may also increase risk of developing an infection. Dr. Power will closely monitor drain output and will remove the drains as soon as possible when medically indicated.
Your drain should be removed by your physical therapist at your appointment. If not, you may need to remove the drain yourself. To remove the drain, remove any visible tape that may be securing the tubing to your skin or dressing. Gently pull the plastic tubing out.
How Long Does It Take for a Drain Hole to Heal? The drainage hole is about as wide as a pencil. The hole will close in a few days and fully heal in three to four weeks.
You may shower 48 hours after your drain is removed. If you have more than one drain, you cannot shower until the last drain has been out for 48 hours.
Do not drive until all drains have been removed. Do not lift anything heavy (more than 10 pounds), or do repetitive arm motions like raking or vacuuming for 1 week after all drains have been removed. Your surgeon will call you to talk about the pathology results about 7-10 business days after surgery.
In the days and weeks after surgery your body needs time to repair the incision. During this time, the incision will likely become inflamed and there may be some drainage. A mild amount of drainage from the incision is normal.
There are a variety of products sold specifically for the purpose of hiding tummy tuck drains. Among them are post-surgical drain belts in stylish, waterproof fabrics that enable you to wear your bulb outside your body without drawing attention.
There will be some discomfort after a tummy tuck, with the worst discomfort experienced within the first week. On a scale of 1 – 10, pain is often estimated at around a 6-7 for the the first few days to a week, reducing to around a 3 – 4 in the second week. This would, of course, depend on the individual.
After a tummy tuck procedure, sleep in a slightly bent position that avoids pulling on the stitches. This is essential for proper healing and successful results. Sleeping in the wrong position could compromise your results and prevent you from getting the quality rest you need.
Using standard aseptic technique, clean around the site and remove any sutures. Pinching the edges of the skin together, rotate tubing from side to side gently to loosen, then remove the drain using a smooth, but fast, continuous traction. Tie off any purse-string sutures and apply occlusive dressing.
The drains typically stay in place until they are draining less than 30ml's of fluid per day. Face lift and neck lift drains usually come out within 1-3 days, as well as breast reduction drains. Tummy tuck drains typically stay in the longest, and may be left in place for 1-2 weeks.
The for each drain will need to be emptied several times a day. Most surgeons patients to measure how much fluid is being expunged from the body and will provide a method for patients to track that amount. The fluid is likely to be yellow, red, or brown, and even have some solid pieces in it.
Plastic surgeons commonly are asked when can I sleep on my side after a tummy tuck. Generally, you can start sleeping on your side after about two weeks post-surgery.
For starters, a drainless procedure avoids drain-site irritation, a common minor byproduct of a traditional tummy tuck. Since there is no drain, there's no need to install or remove it, which means when the procedure is done, the procedure is done!
– Is drain removal painful? Patients may experience a pulling or pressure sensation, however there is generally no pain experienced during drain removal. Drain removal takes only a few seconds. The stitch securing the drain in place is first removed followed by gentle removal of the drainage tube.
It is common for small debris or a blood clot to be found inside the tubing or bulb. The blood clot appears as a dark, stringy lining. It could prevent the drainage from flowing through the tube. Try to strip the drain to move the clot into the bulb.
When you first get the drain, the fluid will be bloody. It will change colour from red to pink to a light yellow or clear as the wound heals and the fluid starts to go away. Your doctor may give you information on when you no longer need the drain and when it will be removed.
Surgical drain and catheter-related complications can occur. These include fragmentation of the drain in the abdomen, pain, infection, loss of function due to obstruction, perforation of visceral organs and probable problems regarding drain withdrawal (3, 4, 7, 8).