What is a Liposuction Drain & What Does It Do?

In a typical tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), the skin and fat of the abdominal wall is lifted up off the rectus or "6-pack" muscles. Some of the blood supply known as the lymphatics are temporarily disrupted. This allows fluid to build up after surgery. The fluid needs to be drained to avoid a collection known as a seroma. I will typically keep a drain in until less than 30ml of fluid comes out per day. Being overactive when you are supposed to be taking it easy can increase the... more

To Scared2death, Hi! It does sound from your description that you need a tummy tuck. In Manhattan, we always use suction drains after abdominoplasty, and leave them in for several days. A tummy tuck is very technique sensitive, and we take a number of measures -- including drains and internal sutures -- to prevent seromas. Seromas happen about 5% of the time and they are a nuisance because they can prolong the recovery by a couple of weeks. But a seroma does not affect the final result... more

Hello We usually do not use drains for liposuction. A drain is used in an abdominoplasty to allow serous fluid to come out during the time that the abdominal skin is reattaching to the abdominal wall muscles. The drain can be removed anywhere from 3-14 days after abdominoplasty. Smartlipo will not tighten your abdomen nor remove stretch marks. I think having at least two consultations with board-certified plastic surgeons will help you make sure that your questions are answered and... more

During a tummy tuck the fat is elevated off of the abdominal wall fascia (the tissues that encase the muscles). When this is done the tiny, one cell wall thick vessels called lymphatics are disrupted. These vessels return the fluid normally found in our tissues to the vascular system or blood vessels. This is a constant process. Because these vessels are disrupted during the tummy tuck that tissue fluid that we normally have builds up because the remaining lymphatic vessels can't... more