Question:
I had bikini cut on Monday and already my drains fell out! Surgeon says

can't do anything about it but I will experience more swelling, pain, brusing than I would have had they stayed in. The drains were only in about 6 inches or less. I had read where people had two feet of tubing in them. I am in so much pain! I had a huge hernia repaired with mesh laproscopily and the mesh was 30 cm in width. HUGE. My panni cut is bikini line and up on the sides some. I do have some dog ears but they said not a big deal and he would touch up later. Has anyone had their drains fall out and dog ears? Also how long can I expect to feel this burning pain. The percocet is not helping at all. When I ask for something they act like I am "drug seeking". I just want to feel comfortable enough to sleep at night....help!!!    — Mylou52 (posted on January 29, 2004)

January 29, 2004
I am sorry to hear your drains came out - I have never heard of that happenening! I had an abdominiplasty 10 days ago, and have 4 drains in right now - they are stitched in. No way are those puppies coming out. In fact, this is the four surgery I have had with drains, third surgeon, and every time they have been stitched in. So I can't conceive them coming out. <br> My surgeon won't take them out until there is a certain level of drainage, and will only take out two at once (the first two come out tomorrow. The incidences of seromas go up significantly without the drainage, so I am surprised the doc didn't want to do something for you right away. <br> I wouldn't imagine that the drains coming out and dog ears would have anything to do with each other - the drain have nothing to do with how much skin is left.<br> I wish you all of the best.
   — kultgirl

January 29, 2004
Ouch! Sorry to hear that. I can't wait until mine come out, they hurt worse than my tt itself and I was cut breast bone to the end of my pubic area and hip to hip. I have 3 drains and it was a concern of mine b/c I have 3 small children who like to climb on me and 2 puppies, the Surgeon said it would take a very hard pull since they are stitched in, but that it would'nt be a big deal. Now I know it is and to be more careful. I hope you feel better soon :o)
   — Sandy M.

January 29, 2004
I had a hip to hip incision to when I had my abdominoplasty. They were stitched in. They shouldn't have fallen out. I think I would seek the advice of another Plastic Surgeon. You shouldn't have to endure pain. My PS would NEVER let me suffer like that. Also, he would have drained the fluid. I had 3 seromas after surgery and he went in with a needle to drain them. I also didn't have any dog ears. Get a second opinion - FAST!!
   — Patty H.

January 29, 2004
just acomment regarding draining seromas. I had one the size of a large grapefruit when I had a hernia repair with mesh . My doctor did not drain them as he stated draining them is an invitation to infection.. It is VERY easy to introduce bacteria into a warm closed environment when you introduce a needle into the seroma. He said when they are drained that they often come back, the body is protesting the gortex mesh. He also said they reabsorb on their own, it just takes a while. And he was right. it went down over a period of about 4 months, and with out any medical intervention. MY personal philosiphy is if it will get better on its own , let my body do its job and heal. Percocet is one of the strongest pain pills. they are also highly addictive. They are a combo of Tylenol and Oxycodone. Oxycodone is a very strong narcotic. You might discuss with your doctor a non-narcotic pain reliever that you can take in addition or alternately with the percocets to get better relief. there just isn't anything oral that is really stronger and no Doctor is going to the next level and giving morphine shots at home.
   — **willow**