What are the pros and cons to using drains with a tummy tuck?

The vast majority of surgeons still use drains. A small percentage do not. The reason for placement is to evacuate the space that is created between the muscle and skin. Surgeons who do not use the drains sew this layer closed with special stitches called quilting sutures.

As the other responses have explained, drains are used to prevent accumulation of fluid in a space where there has been dissection. Since a tummy tuck involves a lot of undermining in order to pull the skin tight, there is normally a lot of fluid buildup. However, there are some ways to minimize this, notably the use of what are called Progressive Tension Sutures. I started using them about 12 years ago and noted that drainage was way down so that we could get the drains out in a couple of days instead of about a week which is more typical. At the same time, a surgeon named Harlan Pollock (in Texas) started doing the same thing, and he no longer uses drains at all! I still use drains but I would definitely encourage you to find someone who does the PTS technique.