There is a big chance that you already know what a tummy tuck is and maybe after you have undergone this surgical procedure, your surgeon has talked about the importance of having tummy tuck drain. Have you ever asked yourself why it is essential to have abdominal drains for about a week after a tummy tuck? Did you know that when a tummy tuck is performed, the fat layer is detached from the fascia that covers the muscle? The dissection is very extensive, requiring detachment of the bellybutton, and continues from the lower abdomen all the way to the upper abdomen. There is a potential space that is created during surgery. This means a space that was not there prior to surgery reacts by filling this area with fluid. The fluid then accumulates which causes the inflammation. It can also bring a seroma, a fluid cavity that can cause liposuction deformities and unsatisfactory results.
Two drains are placed in the mons area once the abdominal wall is tightened. These drains are placed from the lower abdomen all the way to the upper abdomen, and they are connected to a bulb that is compressed, allowing the fluid that will fill the cavity to be suctioned during the healing process. In this way, developing a fluid cavity will be prevented. These drains are easy to manage, and most of the time, they are removed in about seven days. The amount of fluid drained every 24 hours needs to be recorded because if you are draining too much, the drains might need to be kept for a longer period of time. Inserting drains after surgery is a must for a successful result with a tummy tuck. This will allow the placement of the drains in the correct anatomical place for all the fluid to be removed during the first seven days after surgery. You can ask your surgeon about these procedures so that you will understand more about the tummy tuck.
