Abstract -- Following transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap surgery, physicians generally limit the patient’s rehabilitation process until total drainage output is low, usually less than 30 cc during a 24-hour period. Therefore, each patient has a different rehabilitation process based on individual drainage output, and there is no standardized physical therapy schedule. Despite this, knowing whether certain variables correlate with drainage output would be beneficial for the timing of rehabilitation. This study examines patient age, body mass index (BMI), and side of reconstruction (right vs. left) for a correlation with total inpatient drainage output. For eighty-five patients who underwent free TRAM flap surgery over a one-year period, patient age, BMI, extent of axillary dissection, side of reconstruction (left, right, or bilateral), and the vessels used in microsurgery were recorded. No correlation was observed for age and drainage output. A positive correlation, however, was observed for BMI and drainage output. The two BMI groups with lower values (‹ 25 and 25-30) had significantly less drainage output in comparison to the third group (BMI › 30). There was also a statistically significant correlation between the side of reconstruction and drainage output. Interestingly, the left side produced more drainage than the right side. Further study of these three variables and others, such as immediate versus delayed reconstruction, is needed to guide the timing of and to maximize patient rehabilitation following TRAM flap surgery.