How long in, drain tubes?

I am just curious what other peoples experiences are with drain tubes.

I am 5 days out from an extended tummy tuck and I have four drains. Doc plans to take them out on Friday (thats 8 days post op).

How long were your drains in for TT?

I am having a BL/BA in a couple weeks and he also intends to put a couple in there as well, he believes they really aid in healing.

Aloha Meg-
I had a Circumferential Belt Lipectomy ( 360` lower body lift), breast lift and augmentation all at once. Seven drains- one in each breast, one from the backside of each hip, one on the frontside of each hip, and one in the central pubic area. In this photo, one is hiding....but I felt like a bank robber wired to the hilt.
The first few were pulled on Day 4, the last ones came out on Day 12 post op. I never had any isues with swelling or edema, still don't--- not even after hard workouts--- and never had to wear  compression garments. One drain site does double duty- --my PS puts the OnQ Pain Blocker catheter into one - it's an apparatus that pumps local anesthetic into your tummy area, keeping it numb for the first 5 days---and it was wonderful for pain control. I feel I achieved excellent results ( so does my husband!) and would do it again in a heartbeat. You can see my plastics photos in my photos under the Pre and Post folder.
Be well- get that protein in- and congratulations! XOXOLori

Lori,
Your results are awesome!

 Mahalo, Chris- no one is more surprised than I at the miracle that is my VSG and the results I got from my plastic surgeon - I m truly blessed to have the do-over at 50, and props to my VSG surgeon (Horatio Asbun)  and PS (Eric Mariotti).
Thanks and continued great success to you! XoLori

I had the On Q too! It was wonderful, came out yesterday at 5 day post op. Thank you for sharing your pics! You look fabulous.

 Yep, Meg, I am sold on that. We started using it on our canine limb amputations and other surgeries involving a large amount of tissue loss- the dogs are less whacked out with less narcotic use, and it's a supplement so by using combinations of therapy, we get better pain relief. Loved mine, tell everyone with a lower body lift ( or impending surgeries like a double mastectomy) about it. XOXOLori

I love your drain belt!  

 Aloha Dena- that's the pouch that holds the anesthetic bulb, the OnQ Pain Blocker. Doubles to contain your drains or used to hook them onto, and you can hide them underneath your shirt if you are venturing out. XOLori

I didn't have any drains with my BL/BA but I did have a drain with my extended tummy tuck. My drain came out at my 1 week appointment. My drainage had diminished to under 20cc's in a 24 hour period so he took it out.

I'm glad you asked this question. I think I'm going to go for the longest recorded jp drain.

I had LBL/hernia repair and Arm lift on Nov 5 and I came home with 6 drains - about 5 days post-op three were removed - both axilla and one from the LBL. A week later another drain was removed. Today I'm going in (19 days later) and I know he will remove another .... but I have one darn drain that is producing a ton of fluid - that won't come out and I wonder how long I'll have to deal with that?