The following post from our forum is from a woman who had a tummy tuck with a breast lift 13 days ago and her surgical drains are still draining 75 cc’s a day. She is wondering if this drainage is excessive.

Date: 12/17/2011 Submitted by: AChildsTummy Tuck With Breast Lift 13 Days Ago

I had a tummy tuck and breast lift/augment about 13 days ago. I am recovering nicely, except this drain in my abdomen. I am still draining about 75cc a day and it looks like mostly blood. From research online, I would think it should not look like pure blood at this point and should be slowing down. Is there anything I can do to make this slow and stop bleeding so I can get this removed?! Is this an indication of a potential issue if it’s still mostly blood at this point?

RESPONSE

Date: 12/17/2011 Submitted by: Tanner

AChilds,

I assume that you are going to regular follow-up visits with your surgeon. I would think that if there was an issue or something abnormal with your drainage your surgeon would discuss it with you.

Those are all good questions to ask him/her at your next visit. If your next visit isn’t for a few days and you are really concerned or worried about this then why not call their office. The on duty nurse can probably answer your questions and ease your fears over the phone.

If I were you I would look at or chart my daily drainage. If it is slowly decreasing, that’s probably a good sign that you are healing. If it is
increasing, then I would call my doctor. Your combined tummy tuck and breast lift augment may take longer to heal and to stop draining than a normal tummy tuck.

One thing I wouldn’t want to have happen is to remove the drain too soon. If that’s done and you are still draining, the drain fluid has nowhere to go. You may possibly form a seroma or develop other complication from it.

I know of nothing that you can do to make it slow down and stop bleeding other than not to aggravate it by overdoing exercise and activities. Your body will heal at the rate that it heals. Always wearing your compression garment may also help (which you are probably doing anyway).

I can’t tell you if it’s a potential issue that your drainage looks like mostly blood. You will need to talk to your doctor about that.

Good luck,

Tanner