Why do some surgeons not use drains? All of the before / after photos I have seen show less swelling with drains and seem to me to look different even at the 3 months post photos. Are the drains expensive? A nuisance? Or do they not make a difference in the long run?
October 6, 2017
Answer: Drainless Tummy Tuck Some surgeons use drains and some do not. Those that choose not to use drains will close the space between the skin/fat and the abdominal fascia/muscles by placing quilting sutures to close the space down so there is no fluid accumulation. It ultimately depends on what the particular surgeon can get the best results with. That should really be the focus of a prospective patient. I would not worry how your body gets there but what is the final result.I tend to like using drains because it is predictable and I feel that with quilting sutures, there is always the risk that where a suture is placed can dimple and show postoperatively.Hope that helps.
Helpful
October 6, 2017
Answer: Drainless Tummy Tuck Some surgeons use drains and some do not. Those that choose not to use drains will close the space between the skin/fat and the abdominal fascia/muscles by placing quilting sutures to close the space down so there is no fluid accumulation. It ultimately depends on what the particular surgeon can get the best results with. That should really be the focus of a prospective patient. I would not worry how your body gets there but what is the final result.I tend to like using drains because it is predictable and I feel that with quilting sutures, there is always the risk that where a suture is placed can dimple and show postoperatively.Hope that helps.
Helpful
October 6, 2017
Answer: Why some surgeons use drains after tummy tuck and some don't The purpose of drains is to collect fluid that your body would otherwise have to absorb. When the tissue flap is raised, the surgical areas will leak some fluid as they heal. This is a normal part of the healing process, and the amount of fluid made decreases day to day, allowing most tummy tuck drains to be removed around 5 days after surgery in my experience. My preference is to use drains, and allow drainage of this fluid in the early postop period when your body generates more fluid. Once the drainage slows down, the thought is your body can handle the smaller amount and absorb it, and the drains are removed. There are different techniques to tummy tucks, and the surgeons who do not use drains tend to use quilting sutures, or progressive tension sutures, in an effort to minimize the chance of fluid collecting while the abdomen heals. These techniques actively close down the space, but can also show visible dimpling or contour irregularity while healing. Without drains, your body is expected to absorb whatever fluid is generated. Some surgeons also like the marketing advantage of saying they don't need to use drains. However, the final results are what really matter, not the minor and temporary inconvenience of having a drain. The price of the drains is not a determining factor in whether or not they are used.
Helpful
October 6, 2017
Answer: Why some surgeons use drains after tummy tuck and some don't The purpose of drains is to collect fluid that your body would otherwise have to absorb. When the tissue flap is raised, the surgical areas will leak some fluid as they heal. This is a normal part of the healing process, and the amount of fluid made decreases day to day, allowing most tummy tuck drains to be removed around 5 days after surgery in my experience. My preference is to use drains, and allow drainage of this fluid in the early postop period when your body generates more fluid. Once the drainage slows down, the thought is your body can handle the smaller amount and absorb it, and the drains are removed. There are different techniques to tummy tucks, and the surgeons who do not use drains tend to use quilting sutures, or progressive tension sutures, in an effort to minimize the chance of fluid collecting while the abdomen heals. These techniques actively close down the space, but can also show visible dimpling or contour irregularity while healing. Without drains, your body is expected to absorb whatever fluid is generated. Some surgeons also like the marketing advantage of saying they don't need to use drains. However, the final results are what really matter, not the minor and temporary inconvenience of having a drain. The price of the drains is not a determining factor in whether or not they are used.
Helpful
