Breast Reduction: Q&A

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I'm Curious Why Some PS Use Drains on Breast Reductions and Some Don't?

My PS told me he will not be using drains for my breast reduction, but will be for my TT. What is the outcome with or without? What are the benefits? Thanks in advance for taking your time to reply :)

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technique without drains

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by don'tsweatit

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Drains after Breast Reduction and Tummy Tuck

Based on medical studies, there is rarely a need to use drains in breast reductions. They have no proven benefit but may cause discomfort. There are now more studies that show that drains can be eliminated from tummy tucks by using Progressive Tension Sutures. You may learn more at the web link below.

Drains don't prevent post-op bleeding

Both breast reduction and abdominoplasty are procedures, which involve developing flaps, resecting excessive skin and tissue and redraping the shortened skin flap. Some physicians utilize "pain pumps", which deliver local anesthetic to the surgical plane; in these circumstances, the use of drains may be justified to prevent a "seroma" = collection of fluid under the skin flap. Ultimately, drains aren't a substitute for a surgeon being compulsive in cauterizing any blood vessels... more

Lavinia Chong, MD

22 reviews

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.chongmd.com

Drains or No Drains?

Every surgeon is different when it comes to their thoughts about using drains or not using drains during breast surgery. It depends on the procedure and a lot depends on the patient and how everything looks during surgery. If you are making a lot of fluid during surgery, it may be necessary. Drains are common for an Abdominoplasty and usually come out in a couple of weeks, but if there has been extreme weight loss, they may stay in a bit longer. With that said, your... more

The use of drains in breast reduction surgery

There are never any absolutes in plastic surgery. Some plastic surgeons use drains on all breast reductions while others use them only if they appear to be necessary. On a typical breast reduction I usually do not use a drain but I do not think any plastic surgeon could be faulted for the use of a drain.

Drains for Breast Reduction?

You will find that there is no specific reason why some plastic surgeons use drains for breast reduction procedures and some do not. Having a “personal preference” in our specialty is quite common. What you will find, however is that every plastic surgeon will swear that his/her way is the best way. In any case, select your plastic surgeon carefully based on consistent safety and quality of work; whether or not drains are used will likely not matter... more

Use of drains with breast reduction

The use of drains should be individualized for each patient. Drains are typically used to remove the fluid accumulation within the potential space created after the procedure, especially when tissue is removed or undermined. They do not prevent hematomas (bleeding/blood clot formation), but may help identify them sooner. Fluid accumulation within a potential space may cause the formation of a capsule and chronic fluid buildup in the area. Stagnant fluid is also a good... more

Drain questions

Hi this is a common question. there are differences between how breast and tummy soft tissue heals. I haven't used a breast drain in 12+ years and haven't regretted it once. however, I ALWAYS use a drain for tummies. Sometimes 2! Depends on the patient and whether additional lipo is also considered. The drain usually comes out at 2 weeks. everyone hates the drain, but it is a necessary issue after tummy tuck surgery. Bennett Yang,... more

Drains for Breast Reductions and Tummy Tucks

Dear don'tsweatit, It is a bit confusing when different surgeons do different things, but, the more you look in to it, the more you will find that there is no absolute right and wrong with a lot of things in medicine, and especially plastic surgery. I used to use drains with my breast reductions but I do not now. Studies have shown that drains do not prevent haematomas (blood collection in the breast requiring a return to theatre) and I have personally found that putting the... more

Darins & BR

Many reliable surgical studies indicate there is no need for drains with Breast Reductions unless, liposuction is performed as a component of the procedure. Many surgeons liposuction out the flanks of the breast to decrease the width. Volumes can range from 25 to 250 cc per side. We perform this component of the Breast Reduction procedure at no additional cost to our patients. Hope this is of assistance. Best, Gary R Culbertson, MD, FACS

Breast reduction / reductio mammoplasty, using drains or not ?

The purpose of putting drians in the surgical site is to reduce chances of bleeding and to monitor type and volume of secreted fluids due to opening of new planes during any given operation. If dissection is minimal due to the size of surgical fields or if the surgical site is "dry" at the termination of the procedure, insertion of drains may not be necessary. Therefore putting drains or not, is technic dependant and is the surgeon's call.

Drains and surgery

Some surgeons do not use drains and it really depends upon the type of procedure performed. It is best to discuss this with your surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction tummy tuck drains

It depends on the tissue and how it responds to surgery. Most of them time they are unnecessary but occasionally I will leave them if the tissues seem "wet." The decision is individualized to each patient. However, I do leave them for all tummy tucks. They help reduce complication risk though when used as deemed necessary.

Breast reduction drains

I use drains in all my breast reductions because I found that the complication rate when down markedly after I began to do so. The drains aren't a big deal. When there is a lot of surgery, the risk of seroma formation increases and the drains reduce this potential. Although they may not be necessary in small reductions, my breast reduction patients tend not to have small reductions (basically because insurance companies do not pay for them). I do not use drains in... more

Drains for Breast Reductions

The decision to use drains on breast reduction has to individualized to each patient. For very large reductions, many plastic surgeons choose to use drains because of the increased surface area under the skin. However, for smaller lifts, a drain is not usually necessary. 99% of the time I do not use a drain. However, having a drain really is no big deal and really should not be a determining factor in whether or not you choose that plastic surgeon. Good... more