Hi All:

I have a couple of questions about drains from my tummy tuck.

First, how slow does the drainage have to be before they pull them out? For instance, if I am draining less than 25 cc's in an 8 hour period of time?

Second, if the bulb on the drainage tube keeps inflating instead of keeping suction on does that mean that it won't work anymore?

I'll call my doctor's office tomorrow, but was hoping for answers from some of you experienced with plastic surgery and drains.

Thanks.

Sue

Hi All:

I have a couple of questions about drains from my tummy tuck.

First, how slow does the drainage have to be before they pull them out? For instance, if I am draining less than 25 cc's in an 8 hour period of time?

Second, if the bulb on the drainage tube keeps inflating instead of keeping suction on does that mean that it won't work anymore?

I'll call my doctor's office tomorrow, but was hoping for answers from some of you experienced with plastic surgery and drains.

Thanks.

Sue

Hi Sue,

I'm and RN, so I may be able to give you an answer to your questions, but your doc is ultimately the person to find out from.

First, you didn't say how long it had been since you had the surgery. That makes a big difference on whether or not he will take the drain out. Second, 25cc in 8 hours is still a significant amount of drainage, so IMHO, the drain isn't ready to come out just yet. It is VITAL for the bulb to be deflated for it to work. If the bulb is inflated and round, it will not work. So, if you notice that the bulb is inflated, open it and make sure to get it as deflated as you possibly can, then re close it.

Hope this helps.

Joan

Thanks.

Unfortunately I cannot get the bulb to stay deflated. I open it and press it closed and close the top, but it keeps inflating to full size.

I'll call the surgeon tomorrow. By the way, I'm 6 days post op.

Thanks again.

Sue

hi sue,

my doctor said the drainage had to be less then 30 cc in a 24 hour period.

i had 2 days of under 30 cc's and i called and they took them out.

the one that wont deflate sounds like maybe there is a hole in the bulb or maybe the connection between the bulb and the tube is not good. definitely call the doctor....and keep us posted on how you do

hooe all is ok.....

josie

Hi Josie:

Thanks for your input. The drain fell out last night some time so I'm done with the drains. It had less than 30 cc's on that drain for two days, so I'm glad it fell out.

I'm doing great except for the energy level and my sleeping schedule is all messed up. I'm going to give myself the weekend to "baby" myself and try to get back into a routine on Monday. I think that will help with the energy level and the sleeping too.

I looked into the mirror today and saw curves! How exciting is that - he he he.

Hope you're doing well too.

I love my band.

Sue

Thanks.

Unfortunately I cannot get the bulb to stay deflated. I open it and press it closed and close the top, but it keeps inflating to full size.

I'll call the surgeon tomorrow. By the way, I'm 6 days post op.

Thanks again.

Sue

It sounds like the drain was ready to come out whether or not the doc thought it was or not. LOL You got lucky with the drain coming out on it's own. It doesn't feel great when they take them out. I'm glad you are doing well! It's definitely wonderful that you are seeing curves. Whoo Hoo!

Joan

hey sue,

it's funny you say about the curves...before i went to bed last night i looked in the mirror and i saw mine coming out.

i thought wow...this is why i did it.

i cant wait to start exercising.

my energy in the afternoon wanes...and that is when i am getting the blues. i am really trying to focus on nutrition. i am nauseous and havent been eating so that isnt helping the "teary feary" from staying too long.

i think we expect ourselves to be back to ourselves too quickly.

have fun this weekend......

josie

Josie:

Sorry to hear that you are still nauseous. No wonder you don't want to eat. Try to eat when the nausea isn't around because it's so important to have good nutrition when you're trying to heal your wounds.

Have a good weekend, and don't do too much!

Sue

Glad to hear the drain fell out on its own. I had the same problem with one of my drains. It kept sliding out a little and then it would just suck air and the bulb wouldn't stay inflated. They had me shove it back in and tape it down tight. That lasted for a few days, then it came out on its own too.

Glad to hear you're doing well.

mrgrta:

Thanks. I can't remember when you had your tummy tuck. Did you belly feel like it was someone else's skin? It has this strange numbness about it. If you had it did it go away? How long did it take?

Today was another good day!

I love my band!

Sue

Yes, I had and still have some numbness. It feels weird. Around week 3, the numbness started to fade for me. The only part that is still pretty numb is right above my pubic bone.