Recovery shouldn’t be draining

OP. DR. YUNUS DOĞAN

What are THESE?

Blurry eyes, dry mouth, sore body and tight compression garments… you wake up in the recovery room disoriented and possibly in a little pain. You’ve just had plastic surgery and slowly but surely, your body is waking up and discovering the changes your surgeon has made. It can’t wait to tell you all about it.

Muscles might be sore or rigid, skin will probably feel tingly or numb as your senses awaken, sending you feedback about the procedures you’ve just endured. Sooner or later you will discover some temporary additions: surgical drains! What are they for? How do you take care of them? How long will you have them?

Drains really suck!

Surgical drains are an important part of your aftercare. Think of them like tiny cheerleaders in your bed. They encourage proper flow of postoperative fluids to promote steady healing and to decrease your risk of infection, hematoma and/or seroma. These fluids can be blood and/or lymphatic fluid.

The Cleveland Clinic published a fun yet informative article about this vital system in your body. Here’s our take: Your lymphatic system is always working, trying to balance your body’s fluid levels by circulating said fluid throughout. This fluid can contain damaged cells or other waste materials from everyday wear and tear - hello, surgery - and is normally filtered and processed without garnering your attention.

When you’ve produced an excessive amount of lymph in response to an event, your body may need help in moving the fluid along. You will feel and see swelling if you have a buildup of lymph. Professional lymphatic massage can help, but no sooner than approximately two days after surgery. (If you’re not sure what to expect with lymphatic massage, read this.)

Prior to lymphatic massage, however, you might need the assistance of post-surgical drains. They collect the fluid until you can safely receive and withstand that healing touch. Your drains might not look like photos you see online.

Different surgeons use different types of drains. For body surgery, drains are usually the size of your hand or palm. Smaller surgeries, like blepharoplasty or rhinoplasty, may result in tiny, earring-sized drains.

The quantity of drains you are blessed with varies depending on the procedure(s) you have. Usually after breast implants, breast reduction or breast lift surgery, patients have one drain on each side, installed near your rib cage under your breasts. After 360 liposuction, BBL or tummy tuck surgery, there could be multiple drains in front and back, down near your pubic area and tailbone.

If you come to us for plastic surgery in Istanbul, you will wake up with something resembling a plastic accordion dangling at the end of a tube. This is known as a closed-wound drainage set and works like a vacuum to slowly pull the fluid out of your body. The drain is compressed when it is first applied. Over time, the accordion expands, filling with blood and lymph. You may see fluid ranging in color from red to yellow-ish as you heal.

How to maintain the drain

Usually drains need to be emptied twice a day but if you produce a lot of fluid, your drains will fill up faster and require more frequent maintenance. And that’s ok. If you are ever concerned or something does not seem right, always ask your nearby medical professionals.

Your doctor’s team should empty them the first day or two, but it may become your responsibility as you grow stronger and more capable. You will receive specific instructions and if you have questions, ask! Always follow your doctor’s advice.

Our general, remember-this-isn’t-official-medical-advice approach can be summed up in seven steps:

• 1. Click the tube’s clamp closed to stop the flow. If you forget to do this, fluid may continue to exit your body via the tube while you’re busy with the drain.
• 2. Firmly hold the drain in one hand while you twist/pull the tube off the top with your other hand.
• 3. Make note of or take a picture of the drain and its contents if your doctor’s team advises you to do so.
• 4. Carefully empty the drain into the toilet or sink.
• 5. Squeeze/compress the drain back down to the smallest size possible.
• 6. Firmly reattach the tube into the drain.
• 7. Open the tube’s clamp to allow fluid to flow again. Note that the drain should not expand immediately before your eyes. It works gradually, throughout the day.

Also note that we did not include handwashing in the seven steps but it’s absolutely recommended before and after plastic surgery drain maintenance.

Typically drains are removed within 4-5 days after surgery but like many other aspects of this journey you’re on, your individual situation will dictate your length of time.

The last stitch

Your decision to have plastic surgery probably wasn’t a swift one and recovery will take time also. It does not happen overnight. We’ve shared ways to expedite results during this time because you know plastic surgery isn’t easy.

The entire process has its share of physical pain and psychological discomfort but remember, it’s only temporary. You will get through it as long as you trust the process. Even if you consider yourself a squeamish person, you may be surprised by your newfound capability and confidence in handling your own bodily fluids during your drain maintenance. We’re not saying you’ll want to enroll in a nursing program tomorrow, but if a career change sounds appealing, we won’t talk you out of it either. New body, new you!