after three weeks ans still have drains in

hello My name is Deb and I a new to this board, I had a full TT and arm lift three weeks ago today, sooo my question is . will the holes around the drains start healing around them and is it normal to have belly drains in for three weeks....thanks

The holes won't heal till drains come out. Drains generally won't come out until the drainage out of them is low enough. Drains suck, but seromas suck worse. You will feel a lot better when they do come out, good luck, Anne

thanks Anne for your reply, it helps....and yes the suck

It seems to be perfectly normal for drains to stay in three or four weeks, and sometimes more. I see it often on these boards. I'm 12 days out from a TT, and very much hoping to get mine out today because I HATE these STUPID drains, lol!! They pull and sting every time I move. Wish my appointment was earlier in the day. Can't see the doctor until 3:30, but I'm going to cry (just kidding, I think) if they don't take them out. I've had drains put in during other surgeries, and the holes heal over well and you don't even see them, so don't worry about that. They won't grow shut around the tube, for sure.

thanks so much for your reply, I know it is better the have to drains in when they still draining, sure don't want an infection there I heard that is the worst...

Hi there.  My first drain came out in one week, the second one came out after four weeks.  Your doctor will not pull until your drainage is lower than 30 cc's in a 24 hour period.  The drains are a pain but it will be worth it in the long run to keep from having seromas.

I had drains in for over 5 weeks. It really sucked. But they're there for a reason. I never developed any seromas or infections. The place where the drain hole was is a little more scarred than the rest of the incision but because my skin is so pale, the widened part actually blends in more and is less noticeable. I just kept the drain site constantly moistened with bacitracin to prevent infection and drying out, and kept it covered. Tip: cut a panty liner in half and cut a slit on one end. Stick the tube through the flap and put it on absorbent (non-sticky) side down. Then use medical tape or bandaids to tape it down. It leaked less that gauze.

wow five weeks, I guess it is better than the alternative And thanks for the suggestions....
DEB

hi deb
i had a tt on 5/11. one of my drains was removed at 3 weeks and the second at 4 weeks. he really wanted to keep the second drain 1 more week, but i pleaded with him. i have a friend who had a tt and had no drains and she had a lot of issues with fluid, so i was glad to have the drains...you just have to be patient...hang in there

thanks for your reply, much appreciated....
DEB