Drainage Vs Natural Fluid Removal For SmartLipo?

I had a consultation for smart Lipo and the doctor said that he would be stitching the incision once the surgery was complete. My friend had smart Lipo about a month back and she was left open for drainage. My question is, what is the better method; leave it open to drain or stitch it so it heals better but will not drain?

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by cbinc

Doctor Answers (5)
Community Comments (0)

Definitely leave them open!

The procedure of tumescent liposuction, if that is what you are going to have done, was invented by a dermatologist, Dr. Jeff Klein. One of the absolutes about what he developed was that the openings were best left open as they healed quicker and with less of a scar than with sutures. Additionally, the ability for the fluid to drain was significantly improved in this method. This is one of the huge benefits of doing the true tumescent method along with SmartLipo. Good luck! more

Great results either way

Hi, This is a good question because there is no concenses on the answer. When there are two ways to do something, it usually means that both work equally well. SL incisions are about 4 mm long. They heal great whether sutured or not. In my practice I suture any 4 mm incision on the face but leave all the rest of the areas open. SL has minimal drainage compared to other types of liposuction but draiage will still come through a sutured incision if there is... more

Scott Barr, MD

3 reviews

Sudbury Plastic Surgeon

Drainage

I prefer to leavethem open as it is impossible to suction all of the fluid out during the procedure. The incisions are small and generally heal well

David A. Bray, Sr., MD

6 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

drbray.com

Better to leave liposuction incisions open.

Hi. 1) The incisions are tiny (one eighth of an inch), and it is best to let the fluid come out. 2) In my opinion, tumescent liposuction has a much longer record of safety and good results. see video

To stitch or not to stich?

Plastic surgeons do not agree on whether it is better to stitch or not! My own approach is not to stitch if the opening is so small it doesn't need it and to stitch if it will help the incision heal faster or look better. There is drainage from the incision whether or not it is stitched.