Not so painfully as the Tummy

I’m 5 days out from my bilateral hip lift and butt lift…Yes I’m sore and swollen…I have two drains in, one is draining very dark bloodily fluid and the other red/pinky fluid.  No pain or redness from the drain sites…I’m wearing ab-binder as well as compression shorts about 24hr-day.  The healing seems to be taking the normal path..

 

However I have questions about the very dark bloodily drain. Anyone have any issues with their drains? The amount? Color?  My doc is aware and told me if it was all blood it would be clotting.  Also they may have to say in for about a week up to 2 weeks if they are draining a significant amount of fluid.  I’d rather have the drains in for them to do their work (my doc agrees) we’ll see what happens during my 1-week follow up.

Overall, what should I expect from this surgery?  I remember my tummy tuck and all I went through…anything different I should be mindful of?

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Yeah, it's completely normal to have some really dark fluid at first... it will lighten up over time.  It's not ALL clots... but the amount of actual blood loss (it is mixed with serum even when ti appears very dark) is minimal unless the drains are having to be emptied VERY frequently.  My first PS left one drain in for 3 weeks and took one out after just a week when I had my panni removal and that worked just fine.  The other PS took both drains about a week and a half and I ended up with a seroma, so my future vote will always be to put up with the drains rather than having to get serromas drained.

Lora

Thank you for the feedback...I go to see my PS this morning...I sure I will keep the drains in for another week or so given that they are draining offen...I don't mind them.  I'm just a bit concerned about the one with the dark fluid....yes I first is was lighten up like the other..but then turned dark and remains dark like a glass of red wine....