What is a drain and when is one used?

A drain is a narrow silicone or rubber tube which is placed in the pocket created in the chest area of a patient during a breast augmentation procedure. The drain allows accumulated fluid to escape following the surgery.

Most drains used during a breast augmentation surgery are removed in the cosmetic surgery office within 24 to 48 hours. Most plastic surgeons do not use drains for a straightforward breast augmentation procedure unless there was a considerable amount of bleeding during the surgery. Drains are commonly used in situations where breast implants are placed for a breast reconstruction surgery if a cancer surgery (mastectomy) was done at the same time as the implant placement.. Drains placed in such patients are generally left in place for a week or two.

Once a drain is placed inside a patient, it extends to the outside through a very small incision, and the end of the drain is connected to a small collection bulb, not larger than the size of a lemon. This bulb provides the option of emptying and measuring its contents at any given time. Once the amount of fluid coming out of the drain has decreased to a minimum, the use of the drain tube is discontinued and it is removed by merely sliding it out.

If a surgeon uses a drain for the breast augmentation procedure, the patient may experience a little bit more post-surgery discomfort and pain than normal. This discomfort and pain normally subsides when the drain is taken out. As mentioned earlier, drains are not normally used for most breast augmentation procedures. It is more common to use drains during repeat surgeries such as when hard scar tissue is removed from around an implant.

Apart from draining out fluids accumulated during and after a breast augmentation surgery, drains are also used to treat infections in rare cases of breast implant infection.

Bodybuilder Breast Implants OH - Do body builders require special techniques or implants when having breast augmentation?

Breast Implant Types - Why are there so many different kinds of breast implants?

Breast Implants Sizes - When selecting a breast implant, can a woman choose whatever size and shape that she wants?

Breast Augmentation Columbus - What is Breast Augmentation?

Columbus Breast Augmentation - How should you prepare for breast augmentation surgery?

Breast Augmentation in Columbus Ohio - How is a breast augmentation surgery performed?

Breast Implants Columbus - What are the possible immediate post-operative risks in breast augmentation surgery?

Breast Implants Columbus Ohio - What are the possible long term risks of breast augmentation surgery?

Breast Implants in Columbus Ohio - Do implants need to be changed every 10 years?

Breast Augmentation in Columbus - Can implants rupture during a mammogram?

Columbus Ohio Breast Augmentation - Can I have other operations at the same time as breast augmentation?

Breast Augmentation Procedure Columbus - How are breast implants inserted?

Breast Augmentation Procedure Columbus Ohio - How much swelling can be expected following breast augmentation surgery?

Breast Implant Complications Columbus - How do breast implants rupture?

Columbus Ohio Breast Implants - What is meant by the Rapid Recovery method?

Breast Implant Procedure Columbus - What is the "Band" or "Strap" that everyone talks about wearing after their operation?

Breast Implant Procedure Columbus Ohio - What is a drain and when is one used?

Breast Implant Columbus - What measures can be taken to avoid capsular contracture?

Breast Implant Care Columbus - Why must I have an adult stay with me the first night?

Breast Implants Silicone Columbus - Can I get silicone implants for my first breast augmentation?

Breast Augmentation Stretch Marks Columbus - Will I get stretch marks when I have my breast augmentation? Can I prevent them?

Smoking and breast augmentation OH - Will smoking affect my recovery from breast augmentation surgery?

Breast Implant with Silicone Gel - Is it possible for silicone gel to move outside of the implant pocket?

Before After Breast Augmentation - Is it necessary to massage my breasts after breast augmentation surgery?

Breast Implant Rupture - What will happen if one of my implants ruptures?

Types of Breast Implants Columbus - What is the difference between smooth and textured breast implants?