How Long Does Drainage Last After Breast Reduction

We offer breast reduction surgery to help women with large breasts deal with back pain and other physical problems. But how long does the drainage last?

The answer is that it depends on your body, but most women can expect drainage to last anywhere from one week to two weeks. In this guide, we review the duration of drainage after breast reduction, the process of removing drains post-surgery, methods to minimise drainage after mastectomy, and common issues that may arise following breast reduction surgery.

 You may have small amounts of bloody drainage coming from your incisions for a few days after your surgery.  Drains are left in until the fluid output reaches a low level. This is usually less than 20-30 cc (cubic centimetres) per day for two consecutive days – about 2 tablespoons. Most drains are removed one to three weeks after surgery.

Breast reduction surgery involves removing excess skin and fat tissue from the breasts, as well as removing excess tissue around the areola (the darker skin around each nipple). In some cases, the surgeon may perform liposuction on the surrounding areas of your chest and abdomen. The procedure helps make your new breasts look more natural and less droopy.

After surgery, you will be hooked up to drains for a few days or weeks so that any excess fluid can drain away from your incisions. The drains are usually removed when they are no longer needed or after about seven days—though it varies from person to person.

How long does drainage last after breast reduction

Breast reduction surgery is performed under general or local anaesthesia and requires a hospital stay for at least one night. After the operation, you will remain in the recovery room until the effects of anaesthesia have worn off. The healing process for any surgery can vary between patients depending on the type of surgery and the patient’s health.

Some people have a lot of pain after breast reduction surgery and others don’t. You may experience some drainage from your incisions for up to three weeks after your breast reduction procedure; you will most likely have drainage tubes in place for a week or two. surgery. Most people feel fine after a few days’ rest, but you should rest as much as you need to make sure that you’re fully healed before getting back to a normal routine. In general, most surgeons recommend waiting six weeks before lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous activity, like running, jogging, or playing tennis. Your surgeon will give specific instructions about avoiding unnecessary movement, showering and dressing, engaging in activities, and caring for your surgical wounds.

Pain is a common side effect of breast reduction surgery. It usually goes away in a few days and can be managed with medication and other options.

• Pain medication: You may want to take pain pills or other analgesic medications during your recovery period, especially if your surgeon says this is okay for you to do. Follow the instructions on how long to take these drugs and any warnings (e.g., don’t take aspirin or ibuprofen).
• Ice packs: Apply an ice pack to the painful area for 15 minutes at a time, several times an hour, for at least two hours one day after surgery. Do not apply ice directly against skin; wrap it first in a wet cloth or paper towel. If ice is not available, apply cold water instead (for example, run cold water over a cloth that covers the painful area). Do not leave ice packs on longer than 20 minutes at a time without taking breaks between applications because too much exposure to cold can cause frostbite!
• Heat packs: After 48 hours post-op, apply heat packs on sore areas such as those near incisions every 2 hours until normal sensation returns—this usually takes three weeks after surgery but may last longer depending on the severity of injury sustained during the procedure itself (if any occurred).

taking drains out after breast reduction

When tissue gets removed from the body, as it does in a breast reduction, or when new potential spaces are created, as in a tummy tuck, the body sometimes tends to fill these areas up with fluid. Plastic surgeons commonly use drains to remove this fluid.

While drains do sometimes have a potential benefit, patients can find them cumbersome to manage. For breast reductions, I feel that there is little to no role for drains. There have been several studies in the literature that have shown the presence of drains has not improved healing or prevented the production of a seroma (a postoperative fluid collection).

For a breast reduction, we typically leave the drains in place for 24 hours. In my experience, patients with drains recover more slowly, even if they come out the day after surgery. There is also a psychological element to recovering from surgery, and the mind sees the drains as one more impediment to recovery.

For these many reasons, I do not utilise drains after breast reduction surgery at my Tucson practice. If you have questions about this process or my methods, please comment.

What are the risks of breast reduction surgery?

The decision to have breast reduction surgery is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks of breast reduction surgery and potential complications are acceptable.

Your plastic surgeon and plastic surgery staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. We will ask you to sign consent forms to confirm your complete understanding of the procedure you will undergo, along with any potential risks or complications.

Conclusion

Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive abrasion or motion during the healing process. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself and minimise the risks of breast reduction surgery.

Be sure to ask questions. It’s essential to address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon. It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement for the anticipated outcome or preoperative stress. Discuss these feelings with your plastic surgeon.