Caring for surgical drains is one of the biggest concerns people have when it comes to recovering from abdominoplasty (also known as a tummy tuck). These helpful devices can have a negative image and may seem daunting to deal with, but their role in recovery is a crucial one. In this blog post, we’ll let you in on the truth about tummy tuck drains—from what they really achieve to what it’s really like living with them.
What do drains do after tummy tuck surgery?
Put simply, surgical drains help relieve the buildup of inflammatory fluid that can occur after certain procedures. During tummy tuck recovery, this buildup typically occurs between the skin and the muscle. It’s called a seroma, and it can increase your risk for complications including infection, fever, swelling, and discomfort. By allowing this fluid to escape from the body, drains encourage a safe and speedy healing process.
Do the drains hurt?
Having a drain in place shouldn’t be uncomfortable, especially with the use of the long-lasting pain reliever EXPAREL®. This slow-release pain medication is injected into the surgical site during your procedure and provides some pain relief for about 3 days after surgery.
Where are drain tubes placed after a tummy tuck?
Only a thin tube remains in an incision on your abdomen, and it’s connected to a bulb outside your body that collects the excess fluid.
How long do drains stay in after a tummy tuck?
The drains will only be in place for about a week, at which time we’ll remove them at a follow-up appointment. While the drains are in place, however, your activities will be limited as you recover.
What’s the risk for tummy tuck drain infection?
While drains help prevent a number of risks, they do come with some minimal risks themselves, the main concern being an infection. If the bulb or tube is contaminated with bacteria, it can make its way into the body. For this reason, it’s important to keep the area around the drain clean and thoroughly wash your hands before emptying or handling the bulb. For more tummy tuck recovery tips, check out our related blog post.
How to shower after a tummy tuck with drains?
You can shower with drains in place, but we recommend securing them in place with s strip of gauze or a belt to prevent the water from tugging on or dislocating them. Many patients opt for sponge baths for the first few days to avoid this issue. Verywell Health offers more information about caring for surgical drains.
Drains Improve Safety & Results
While they may seem like an inconvenience, these drains are essential to both your safety and the success of your results. Most tummy tuck patients would be quick to tell you their new flat, toned tummy was more than worth the hassle of dealing with drains. For a reminder of what’s waiting for you on the other side of recovery, take a look at our patients’ results below and visit our before-and-after photo gallery.
If you’re ready to create your dream body with a tummy tuck in the Atlanta, GA, area, please use our online form to request a consultation at our Marietta practice online or call us at (770) 421-1242.
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