Why do I have no drains after breast reduction surgery? (Photo)

Question

Looking at other people’s journey I see they had drains and all that but I didn’t have drains why is that ?

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

I rarely use drains for my breast reduction patients. Drains are used to help prevent fluid collections, called seromas.Years ago, I used to use drains for all of my breast reduction patients, and now that I rarely use drains, I have not had any increase in seroma formation.Congrats on your breast reduction!

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Congratulations on your surgery.  Each surgeon has his or her own protocol that they follow. With that being said I always place drains but not every surgeon will do so.  If your surgeon recommends a tight compression bra then I would continue to wear that.  Best of luck to you while you are recovering.

Julia Spears, MD · Answer

Dear Shizzlecot,
Congratulations on undergoing breast reduction surgery! Not every breast reduction requires drainsThere are several factors which your plastic surgeon will consider in making the decision.  It looks like you are on your way to having a great result

John Paletta, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. It has been proven that there is no advantage to using drains after breast reduction. In some situations use of drains may be helpful specifically, when liposuction is done in conjunction with a breast reduction.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thanks for your question.
Not every surgeon uses drains. Looks like you have a great result! Best wishes!

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

Personally I do not use drains as I feel the recovery is smoother and patients prefer not to have drains. Every PS will have different views.

Daniel Brown, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your questions and photos.  For a standard breast reduction, I do not routinely place drains either.  Many times the decision to place drains or not is based on a surgeons preference, training, and a patient's anatomy.  I hope that you are doing well post op.Best wishes!Daniel Brown, MD, FACSBoard Certified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonsMember American Society of  Plastic SurgeonsCastle Connolly Top DocReal Self Top 500

Samuel Maurice, MD, FACS - Account Suspended · Answer

I typically do not use drains for the majority of my breast reductions.  This topic has actually been researched in the Plastic Surgery literature, and there are a number of studies that have shown no benefit to using a drain for a standard breast reduction.

Amit Gupta, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Good Afternoon, thank you for question. It is entirely the surgeon's decision to put or not put drains after surgery, and the decision is totally based on his or her comfort, there are many number of surgeons who swear by drains and an equal number of surgeons would never put drains so don't worry at all and trust the judgement of your operating Surgeon.Regards,

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