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Mini Tummy Tuck w/ No Drains

asked 1 year ago by muneca1965 in Montclair, NJ
Latest answer by Vivek Bansal, MD
Question viewed 388 times
Tags: drainage

I'm planning on having a mini tuck and my PS explained that he doesnt use drains. He wants me to visit him once a week for drainage. Is this common??

22 answers to Mini Tummy Tuck w/ No Drains

+2

Mini Tummy Tuck w/ No Drains

I recommend that you not be too worried about exactly how your plastic surgeon does his or her procedures. One of the many fascinating things about plastic surgery is that reputable surgeons can differ greatly in how they do their operations. This can be confusing to the patient who may receive different opinions from different surgeons. Your most important job is to select a surgeon who is experienced, confident and kind. Take advantage of any available resources to find that... more
Eric Pugash, MD

Vancouver Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy Tuck

21. is gone and after a couple of days, we can remove the drain. We remove when output is less than 20cc/24 hours for two days consecutively. No drain leaves a chance for fluid accumulation and a need for a needle stick to aspirate the fluid, never a popular procedure.
Vivek Bansal, MD

Danville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and drains

Different plastic surgeons utilize different techniques and may differ whether they feel the drains are or aren't necessary. Personally, I think the use of drains would be more common than planning weekly aspirations. Communicate any questions or concerns with your surgeon prior to surgery so that you feel more comfortable. Best wishes.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Do mini Tummy Tucks require drains?

Depending on the size of the mini tummy tuck or mini abdominoplasty, the surgery may or may not require the placement of drains. 
Vincent D. Lepore, MD

San Jose Plastic Surgeon
+1

Drains are common after a tummy tuck

After a standard tummy tuck, drains are frequently used.  However, a mini-tummy tuck involves removal of less skin so drains may or may not be required.
Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Drains are not a big deal in tummy tucks

I am amazed by what an issue the patients are making about drains in regards to a tummy tuck.  I personally use only one and it is no wider than a piece of spaghetti and comes out with no pain at all.  It is there to help the healing and to prevent fluid collections that can slow healing.   The last thing a patient or group of patients should do is to try to decide on where to have surgery based on something like using or not using a drain.  Let the surgeon do what... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scheduled drainage?

Hello, I have not seen a surgeon use a scheduled needle drainage technique as opposed to placing drains at surgery. With a mini tummy tuck drains are usually only in for a short while. It might work. Ask your surgeon what his experience is with this technique.     Best Regards,   John Di Saia MD
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Look at results from tummy tucks

Like others have said, the specific technique is not as important as the experience of your surgeon.  It's perfectly accetable to use or not use drains.  Personally, I have not used drains in tummy tuck surgery for over 15 years, but have also incorporated internal suturing techniques for avoiding fluid collections which I feel have helped improve the overall results.  With these techniques I have not had any problems with fluid collections.  Should someone not use... more
Mario Loomis, MD

Middletown Plastic Surgeon
+1

Drains after a mini-tummy tuck (mini-abdominoplasty)

While each procedure has a general way it is approached, the nuances between individual surgeons can be great and do not affect outcome.  While the internet has been great in helping to educate patients regarding procedures, this is a perfect example of where there is just too much information.  You should be concerned with greater issues such as the experience level of your surgeon, are you comfortable with them, do you like the way their patients look in before and after... more
Theodore Diktaban, MD

Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Drains are used by most plastic surgeons for mini-tummy tucks

As you have read, there is a diversity of answers which shows that there can be more than one way to do something which works. Some plastic surgeons do perform a mini-tummy tuck without a drain and may not have an increased rate of fluid accumulation called a seroma. However, if they rely on repeated aspiration of fluid from the cavity as the expected treatment - this is not ideal or truly appropriate. Personally, I place a drain in all my mini-tummy tucks as I find it effective in... more
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

To Drain Or Not To Use Drains In Tummy Tucks?

Whether to use drains or not in tummy tuck surgery is both controversial and variable amongst plastic surgeons. Some do not use drains and many others still do. What works best is based on their own experience and when done well, drained or no drain tummy tucks can have very good outcomes. Remember that the drain is not the operation, it is just an adjunctive means to aid the healing of a tummy tuck. Your plastic surgeon wants to see you weekly to make sure you do not have a fluid build-up... more
Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

There is no need for drains

Although traditionally drains were used, this is no longer required if your surgeon performs a tight inner closure (plication). I have been using this technique for almost 18 months now with success. Sincerely, Martin Jugenburg, MD
Martin Jugenburg, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

www.torontosurgery.ca

+1

Mini Tummy Tuck w/ No Drains

I differ from your surgeon in that I use drainage. I believe healing is faster with the use of drains. Just my over 30 years experience. From MIAMI 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Different techniques can give good results

There can be more than one way to do some procedures....and get good results.  don't worry about exactly how your surgeon does the procedure. if you have done your homework and chosen a reputable surgeon that you trust, you will likely have a good outcome.
Bruce K. Barach, MD

Schenectady Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini-Tummy Tuck

The use of drains, or not, is a surgeon's choice and should not be a primary concern for you. Your aesthetic result is what matters for you. This will depend on making a precise anatomic diagnosis and understanding your expectations for the result.  The procedure that most closely matches your expectations with your anatomic realities is the one you should choose, irregardless of what it is called.
Stephan Baker, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

No drain tummy tucks are possible

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to perform mini tummy tucks and even full tummy tucks without drains.  If your surgeon is planning on this, usually he/she is using "progressive tension sutures."  The goal is not to get a fluid collection (seroma) that requires drainage although this is possible.  As long as you feel confident in your surgeon's abilities, it's reasonable to go ahead.  Good luck!
Elan B. Singer, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tucks without drains

My partners and I have been performing tummy tucks, both full and mini, without drains for the 12 plus years I have been in practice.  We have a busy practice and perform at least a couple hundred a year.  It is perfectly acceptable to do this and if done properly the risk of fluid accumulating after surgery is no greater than if drains were used.  He or she probably wants to see you weekly for checks of fluid to see if it accumulates.  If it has not by the end of... more
Byron D. Poindexter, MD

Reston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy tuck without drains

I have heard of plastic surgeons recently performing tummy tucks without drains.  Some of them use internal plicating sutures that can reduce the fluid accumulation following a tummy tuck so that drains are less necessary.  It would not be my choice to to abandon the use of drains.  
David S. Rosenberg, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Drains after mini tummy tucks.

Some PS do not use drains after mini tummy tucks. It is not that common to have to drain fluid after this procedure. It can be done simply in the office by aspirating the area with a needle.
Beverly Friedlander, MD

Short Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy tuck and Drains

Every Plastic surgeon practices a little differently.  One of the differences between a mini tummy tuck and full tummy tuck is the extent of the abdomen that is addressed.  With a full abdominoplasty, the skin and fat of the abdomen is elevated up to the level of the costal margin (the ribs) and sterum.  This produces a large space that may accumulate serum.  Thus, drains are required.  With a mini tummy tuck, only the tissue below that navel is usually... more
Jason R. Hess, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Drains after abdominoplasty

Some surgeons claim that if the lymphtics in the lower portion of the abdomen are preserved and quilting sutures are used there is no need to use drains and there is no need for weekly follow ups for drainage. If this technique is not utilized placement of drain is appropriate. Weekly aspiration of seroma is not a standard of care.
S. Ozan Sozer, MD

El Paso Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy Tuck and use of Drains.

Every plastic surgeon has a different routine.  Use of drains especially with a mini tummy tuck may be variable.  There is not as much potential space for  fluid to accumulate as there is in a full tummy tuck and  some plastic surgeons may find drains unnecessary.  Use of underlying sutures to obliterate any potential space may also eliminate the need for drains.  It sounds as if your surgeon , plans to followup weekly to check for fluid accumulations and drain... more
Stephen Delia, M.D.

Boston Plastic Surgeon

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