Does Breast Lift with Implant Require Painful Drain Tubes?

The use of drains with breast surgery is a matter of opinion as there are no clear cut right or wrong answers. The purpose of drains is to prevent serum or blood from collecting inside the surgical site. With implants, this fluid collection may increase the risk of postoperative complications. I use drains sometimes, based on my clinical judgement in the operating room. If I do use them, they usually are removed within 2 days after the surgery. I think that they may add to the discomfort of surgery, but not greatly. Remember that surgery is painful, but ultimately is of benefit. I would go with what your surgeon recommends for the best outcome in his or her hands. The drains should be no more than a minor inconvenience in the scheme of things.

In the vast majority of women
who undergo combination breast augmentation/breast lift surgery, drains aren’t
utilized.Despite this, it’s important
to remember that each patients situation is unique and for this reason,
exceptions are occasionally made.In
some cases, surgeons may encounter intraoperative factors that require
postoperative drain placement.Fortunately,
this situation is rare and the vast majority of patients don’t have to worry
about drains in the post-operative period.

Drains are not always necessary following a breast lift, however they may be necessary in some cases. Please see an experienced board certified plastic surgeon for a physical examination to find out whether you would require them. Best of luck!

I do use them after breast lift, and they are short and very soft. My patients literally do not feel them while they are in, or when they come out (which is usually the next day).

The use of drains varies among plastic surgeons with the vast majority NOT using them for primary breast augmentations. There is no clear data to support their use but many surgeons continue to use them because they believe it reduces the risks of seroma or hematoma.