When I ask if physician does drainless tummy tucks, I'm met with attitude or they feel the need to belittle me?

Question

Is there a reason this is happening? I called one office and asked if that doctor performed them and they went as far as to tell me anyone who does this technique is not board certified and then went on to say that their surgeon was the best in the area and tried to back me into a corner and schedule a consult right away with them instead. To me this screams red flags, but several offices I've called have kind of reacted in the same way?

Carlos Mata, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

I am so sorry that your are made to feel that way. Most surgeons do not perform drainless tummy tucks because of fear of seromas and or lack of experience. Not every doctor does everything. I would agree that an office that belittles you is a red flag. I know that we dont offer everything that exists. So when a patients call, we let them know that what they are asking for is not offered but sometimes we offer something similar. People having been getting great results with drains for a long time. Now its just a little bit better without drains since less of a chance of infection, less chances of fluid collection and a better scar in my opinion. It seems that you may need to travel to find a plastic surgeon who performs a drainless tummy tuck. Remember that there are three types, those done with glu or with suture or both. Hope this helps. All the best,Carlos Mata MD. MBA, FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Luke J. Curtsinger, MD · Answer

Drainless tummy tuck is a huge improvement over drained tummy tuck, but there is a learning curve.  Some PS's are resistant to change, so they try to coerce the patient into their old comfort zone and (perhaps their office staff, or PS) come forth with illogical arguments.  
Board certified surgeons like me prefer drainless, because my patients overall have a quicker, more pleasant recovery.  Game Changer!  Find a PS experienced in delivering great results.

Guy Cappuccino, MD · Answer

I've been board certified for the past 10 years and have performed countless drainless tummy tucks.  If any surgeon belittles you, RUN AWAY.  A surgeon and patient must have excellent rapport.

Steven L. Ringler, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding drainless tummy tuck.  The office that you spoke with was incorrect.  Many advanced, board certified plastic surgeons have been performing tummy tuck without drains for many years.  It is not an experimental procedure.  In my practice, all tummy tucks are performed without drains and it typically offers faster healing, fewer seromas and more convenience for the patient.  Unfortunately, some plastic surgeons get locked into certain techniques and are not open to newer or more advanced procedures or devices.  I hope this helps.

William T. Stoeckel, MD · Answer

I think it is safe to say that at this point in time, any resistance that you get when inquiring about drainless tummy tuck surgery should raise some concerns for you. It is no longer an experimental procedure, but rather quickly becoming the standard of care. It does not mean that surgeons that are still using drains are not good surgeons and can not deliver a wonderful result for you, but those surgeons that are skilled in performing a drainless procedure are more on the cutting edge of things, in my opinion. In the end though, you should choose a surgeon with whom you are comfortable and confident for your surgery. Don't choose a surgeon just because they use drains or not with their abdominoplasties, but rather one that has great before and after results, is comfortable to communicate with, and ideally one with good reviews.

Steven Vath, MD · Answer

I'm sorry that you had that experience. TBH, I am baffled that surgeons are still using drains for tummy tucks, and I surmise that they are resistant out of a fear of change. I have been performing my tummy tucks without drains for over 10 years now. Not only does this make the patient infinitely more comfortable post-op, it actually reduces complications and yields a superior result.This technique adds just 5-10 minutes on to a traditional TT. Instead of just pulling the skin down and suturing at the incision line, the flap is sutured down to the muscle at several different points. This reduces the space in which fluid can collect to small pockets that the body can manage and absorb. This technique of tacking the skin down also allows me to give a better aesthetic result  with a funneled natural-looking indentation around the belly button. Additionally, I have seen FEWER seromas after a no-drain tummy tuck than I did when I was using drains. Tacking the flap down also evenly distributes the pressure over the entire abdomen vs just at the incision thus reducing complications of a wound opening while also allowing for the incision to heal in a very thin line.I recommend that you continue your search for a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who performs drainless tummy tucks. Colorado is beautiful, you can always travel to have your surgery with me.

Jeffrey Ridha, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear of your experience.  As in many fields, not only is there often resistance to change, but there is sometimes an aggressive response when faced with questions about newer techniques.  The response you received makes it easy to decide not to seek consultation in those particular offices, not even because they don't perform the procedure, but because they were dismissive, and didn't offer to discuss all options with you at your consultation.  In my practice, I perform tummy tucks both with and without drains, all dependent on the individual patient and some additional considerations.  Make sure to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon whose office you feel comfortable with from the first phone call onward. Best Wishes.

Olivier Deigni, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.
What you have experienced is very unfortunate. Studies have been published that show the safety and efficacy of drainless tummy tucks. Some surgeons are set in the ways they were taught and it can take time for them to change. That being said, there are several ways to do a tummy tuck and every plastic surgeon likely does it slightly differently. When I perform a tummy tuck I do not use drains and I have been extremely happy with the results. I use a technique called progressive tension sutures in which the sutures hold the abdominal skin in place and help minimize the space for any fluid to collect. Whatever fluid your body makes during recovery is safely reabsorbed by your body. 
The no drain tummy tuck makes recovery much easier for my patients. Without the drains, patients are able to walk after surgery without the worry of the drains being pulled on and it avoids any pain or discomfort associated with the drains at the skin where they exit. Another technique I use during my tummy tuck is injection of Exparel, which is a long lasting local anesthetic that I place along the muscles that are tightened to help with pain relief during the recovery process.
You should seek a board-eligible or board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery. Make sure they discuss all your concerns including the risks, benefits, recovery, and postoperative course. 
I believe a key component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon. If you don’t feel like you have a good connection then they may not be the best surgeon for you.
Good luck!
Olivier A. Deigni, MD, MPH
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Grant Stevens, MD · Answer

I have done Tummy Tucks for many years and for the first 25 years I always used drains.   That’s what I was taught to do.    For the last 5 years I have not used drains and my seroma rates have gone down not up!  Patients are more comfortable and the care givers have an earlier time.  Follow my patients right here in RS.   They walk the night of surgery and I see them the next day.   They also don’t have to deal with the scars from the drains or the pain of removing them.    Drains are a thing of the past.  Some surgeons are just so slow to change because they are set in their ways.  Patients will bring the changes on as they vote with their feet and their bank accounts.   We have published 3 studies confirming the safety and efficiency of progressive tension sutures and Drainless TT.  Yes I am a board certified plastic surgeon, a Clinical Professor of Surgery and the President of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Suresh Koneru, MD · Answer

That is really a weird response and may be more a reflection of the person answering the phone rather than the doctor.  Most Board Certified Plastic Surgeons are at least aware of Drainless Tummy Tucks.  There is a significant amount of literature supporting the procedure.  Surgeons may not want to change because the way they have done things for years has worked well for them.Honestly, I had no problems with the way I did Tummy Tucks with Drains.  I only changed to the Drainless because my patients wanted it.  The most common complaint at their postop visits was related to the drains.  Since I switched about 2 years ago, I have been very happy with the procedure.  It does take me a little longer in the OR, but the patients are spared drains and I think recover faster.I would recommend you continue searching for a couple plastic surgeons in your area who perform Drainless Tummy Tucks and visit them to see if you are a candidate.

When I ask if physician does drainless tummy tucks, I'm met with attitude or they feel the need to belittle me?

Answers (19)

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