Serous and serosanguinous drainage are normal for the first two or three days. But you should watch for signs that the amount of blood mixed with serum is increasing.

How long does drainage last after surgery?

The amount of serosanguineous fluid should decrease each day and the color of the fluid will turn light pink or light yellow. Your surgeon will usually remove the bulb when drainage is below 25 ml per day for two days in a row. On average, JP drains can continue to drain for 1 to 5 weeks.

How do you stop a wound from draining?

If your wound is not draining much, moisten a piece of gauze with saline, and gently place gauze into the deepest part of the wound. Do not pack tightly, but do keep the wound edges from touching, so that the wound can heal from the inside out. If wound is draining much, pack with dry gauze to absorb excess moisture.