Plastics Round 1 Done
Aloha RR-
My drains emptied into collection bulbs ( Jackson Pratt system) so even though I had seven of the little suckers ( literally, they are suction devices!), it was not messy at all. I did resemble a grenade-laden terrorist, though- check my photos.
Remember ...every drop that drains out is a drop that is not collecting within your sub-cutis (or into a dead space pocket), so it is not putting pressure on your fragile healing incision, nor is it contributing to seroma formation. Serum is an excellent growth medium...and a seroma (a pocket of serum) is an abscess waiting to happen, since bacteria just love to set up shop there, especially with an open wound ( the drain hole) nearby. So drainage is a good thing- that's why the surgeons put drains in!
Pain- stay ahead of it ( to avoid wind up phenomenon) and use multi-modal pain relief where you can ( local anesthetics, cool packs, pillow support, opiates, NSAIDs) - using combinations often means using less of any one drug, and most alternative methods of pain relief do not lead to side effects like constipation or grogginess.
It will all be worth it, I love my flat tummy and wearing bikinis again- whoda thunk it at 50?
Be well- and congrats!!!! XOXOLori
My drains emptied into collection bulbs ( Jackson Pratt system) so even though I had seven of the little suckers ( literally, they are suction devices!), it was not messy at all. I did resemble a grenade-laden terrorist, though- check my photos.
Remember ...every drop that drains out is a drop that is not collecting within your sub-cutis (or into a dead space pocket), so it is not putting pressure on your fragile healing incision, nor is it contributing to seroma formation. Serum is an excellent growth medium...and a seroma (a pocket of serum) is an abscess waiting to happen, since bacteria just love to set up shop there, especially with an open wound ( the drain hole) nearby. So drainage is a good thing- that's why the surgeons put drains in!
Pain- stay ahead of it ( to avoid wind up phenomenon) and use multi-modal pain relief where you can ( local anesthetics, cool packs, pillow support, opiates, NSAIDs) - using combinations often means using less of any one drug, and most alternative methods of pain relief do not lead to side effects like constipation or grogginess.
It will all be worth it, I love my flat tummy and wearing bikinis again- whoda thunk it at 50?
Be well- and congrats!!!! XOXOLori
Most Active
Recent Topics
