Tummy Tuck Without Drainage Vs. with Drains?

Thanks for your question. Tummy tucks creates a large dead space above the belly button down to the incision. Fluid can accumulate in this space. In addition, incisions used to perform abdominoplasty divide small lymphatic vessels decreasing the body's ability to return fluid from tissue back into the circulation. Drains usually stay in from 4 days to two weeks. The drains are used to remove fluid that collects in the dead space created. When drain output is low enough (most surgeons... more

To drain or not to drain is at the surgeon's discretion as there is no concensus. The majority of surgeon's drain, some for just a couple of day, some for weeks. Some try to suture the cavity closed thus obviating the need for drainage. The main purpose is to prevent small hematomas or seromas from forming. It usually does not prevent large bleeds from occurring and the amount of swelling should be less as bruising (which contributes to swelling) should also be less. However, it may be that... more

Traditionally, surgeons have used drains after a tummy tuck to drain any fluid which may accumulate under the skin which has been repositioned and tightened. We refer to this space beneath the skin as "dead space". Basically a space without purpose, but one in which fluid can accumulate. This fluid is usually serous fluid (clear fluid) from the disruption of the lymphatic vessels during surgery and not blood. Now, if the dead space is eliminated through... more

Smaller tummy tucks can be done without drains, and some believe that using a certain type of sutures called PTS sutures may minimize fluid collections.  This is really based on surgeon experience and preference.  Swelling is a highly variable process that is also very individualized.  The use of drains really does not affect swelling after surgery.

Every surgeon is different. I prefer to place drains under the abdominal flap for relief of fluid collecting under the flap.  Perhaps patients will have more swelling without drains.

It is standard practice to use drains with abdominoplasty. Some people advocate not placing drains, however this is not common. If you do not have drains and you collect fluid under the skin, then you could have a seroma requiring drainage.

Most plastic surgeons will utilize drains following an abdominoplasty. Drains will help prevent seromas or fluid collections by eliminating excess serum or fluid that the body produces. Some surgeons may not use drains because they may 'obliterate' the space using quilting sutures to reapproximate the fatty tissue to the underlying muscle.

To myfatbelly, Hi! The most common complication of an abdominoplasty is a seroma (fluid collection). In my experience and in the plastic surgery literature, drains help prevent seromas. They should be left in place at least one week. And drains have no real down side other than temporary discomfort. There are many important technical details in tummy tucks, and drains are just one example. Everything else being equal, go with the surgeon who uses drains.

Each surgeon you speak with may have minor differences in their technique, occasionally major ones. Decisions regarding one element of the surgery affect others. The routine I use is to place one drain under the tissues before closing the abdominoplasty incision, and to leave it in place until there is little fluid coming out (usually several days). Another surgeon may use a different method. Does my method result in less swelling? Since I do not compare similar patients with and without,... more

I usually place drains beneath the skin after a tummy tuck. The drains remove fluid and blood that accumulates in the first 24 hours after the tummy tuck. I use drains, because if the fluid does build up after surgery and a drain is not used to remove it, you can develope a seroma which is an accumulation of fluid that not only causes swelling, but also has to be removed by needle aspiration. This prolongs recovery and can produce longer swelling. Seromas can become infected and harm the... more