Tumescent Liposuction: Q&A

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Will Stitching Incision Site After Tumescent Lipo Hinder Drainage and Prolong Swelling?

I am having tumescent lipo of abdomen, posterior waist and bra line. My doctor chooses to loosely stitch the incision sites. I worked for a PS that left the incisions open. I am so afraid that the stitches will hinder drainage and cause prolonged swelling. What benefit, if any, is there to the loose stitches ? I am hoping for a reassuring answer here : ) Thank you for your time !

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swelling drainage stitches

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by danielle7

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Reason to close or not to close the liposuction incision

Thank you for the question. There is really no hard rule as to close or not to close the liposuction incision. Most liposuction incision are too small to require suturing. When larger cannulas are used, I close the incision site. But, ultimately its up to your surgeon to make that decision. The outcome of the surgery depends on how its done and not on the closure of the incision. You need to see before and after photos of your surgeon and base your decision in part on that. Many... more

Closing Liposuction Incisions

Slightly loose stitching of the access incisions is really the preferred way to go. This technique provides the advantages of both worlds - drainage can still proceed but the wounds heal more reliably and more invisibly.

Will suturing small incisions after lipo hinder the healing?

I don't suture the small incisions after liposuction is finished, and here's why: once the lipo is done the fluid has served its purpose--so let's get rid of it the fluid will drain onto dressings and be removed from the body faster than absorption trapping the fluid also traps blood and increases the appearance of bruising there's less of a feeling of swelling if the fluid drains rather than slowly absorbing any skin bacteria that may have been dragged into... more

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Suturing liposuction incisions

In most cases, I suture liposuction incisions and have not found an increases problem with swelling or seroma formation. If a seroma does form, the suture can be easily removed and the incision drained. Placing the suture can make managing your incisions easier in limiting the need for changing wet dressings. Best wishes.

Incisions and liposuction

I close my liposuction incisions all the time. Some people will leave them open. I am mainly concerned with infection with an open wound. The fluid left inside will sometimes drain but will mostly be absorbed.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

To Close or To Not Close Your Liposuction Incisions?

Dear danielle7, There were a number of reasons why plastic surgeons frequently left the incision sites open with tumescent anesthesia and liposuction in the past and not so much today. With "true" tumescent anesthesia, the volume of fluid being injected is around a 3 to 1 ration of what is being planned for removal. So if the surgeon estimates that there is going be a liter of fat out, they injected 3 liters in. Today, most surgeons use the "super wet"... more

Liposuction

The incidence if seroma after liposuction is low but can happen with or without suturing the incisions. In very largr liposuction may be a drain will help

Closure of Liposuction Incisions will not be associated with increased postoperative adverse effects.

In my experience, closure of liposuction Incisions will not be associated with increased postoperative adverse effects. I have always closed the incisions on my liposuction patients. There are different "camps" regarding closure vs. non-closure of the liposuction incisions, perhaps based on training and surgeon preference/experience/technique. The tumescent solution is evenly distributed throughout the subcutaneous adipose (fatty) layer, and suction is used, so there are no pools... more

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

Tumescent Liposuction: Q&A

Will Stitching Incision Site After Tumescent Lipo Hinder Drainage and Prolong Swelling?