My Surgeon Did Not Put in Drains at All. Is This OK?

He said most bodies will just absorb the fluid. However, this is not the case with me. My lower abdomin keeps filling up and I have had to go have it drained manually by the Dr 3 times now in 2 weeks. I could have gone even more but suffer through the swelling untill I can't stand it anymore.

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fluid no drains normal

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by vshalley

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Drains are not always necessary.

A seroma (collection of fluid) is a potential risk that can happen even if drains are used. While most plastic surgeons do use drains for their tummy tuck, more and more (including me) have stopped using them and instead use a modified form of a tummy tuck that does not require a drain. I have been performing this new technique for almost three years now and I've had only two seroma, which is same rate if not better than what is published for traditional tummy tuck technique... more

Drains and TT

Personally, I always use drains in my tummy tucks. However, there is an alternative method that some surgeons use - called "quilting sutures" or "progressive tension sutures" that is said to eliminate the need for drains by its advocates. If you are continuously making fluid, you might require a drain to be placed. Sometimes a small percutaneous drain called a Seroma-Cath can be very helpful for this situation. This does not require a trip back to... more

Drains after tummy tuck

In my experience, drains are absolutely necessary after an abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" procedure. Two drains are usually placed at the level of the incision to collect inflammatory fluids and byproducts that naturally occur after surgical procedures. Drains stay in anywhere from 7-10 days or until the surgeon feels that the drain output is minimal enough that your body can absorb whatever else is excreted. Unfortunately, because you did not have... more

Drains not always necessary with tummy tuck if progressive tension sutures are used

Many surgeons using a technique called progressive tension suture method (PTS) do not find that drains are necesary since the amount of fluid accumulation is very low with this technique. However, I still use a drain with PTS and it typically comes out in a few days.

Drains for Tummy Tucks

Thank you for your question. In my practice, I generally use 2 drains for a standard tummy tuck. I remove the drains when I see that the fluid coming out of the drains is below a certain amount. The drains are used to reduce the risk of seroma after tummy tuck surgery. Sometimes when drains are removed, the patients body will still produce excess fluid that will need to be aspirated. The fluid amount should reduce with time. Best Wishes. see video

Drains for Tummy Tucks

Most plastic surgeons do use drains for tummy-Tucks. Actually, most use 2 drains as the risk of post-op seromas or hematoma is high with tummy-tucks due to the intrinsic extensive undermining of the skin and also for the common concomitant liposuction performed during the procedure. In my practice in Toronto, I use 2 drains with post-op oral antibiotic coverage: one gets removed at 5-7 weeks, the other one at 10-12 days. I have not had a seroma since I started this protocol... more