Is it typical to not need drains after surgery? Are drains necessary after a BR surgery? (photo)

Hi.  You will find different opinions from different surgeons regarding drains.  Some surgeons rarely if ever use drains following a breast reduction.  Personally I find them helpful and use them in most, but not all, of my breast reductions.  Larger reductions I definitely use them.  Smaller reductions I typically do not.  The purpose of the drains is basically to help manage fluid - if your body is producing more fluid than it is able to reabsorb then a drain gives the fluid a place to go.  Otherwise, that fluid will accumulate, or collect inside.  But it is the surgeon's judgment as to whether or not you need the drains for that reason.  I would recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon with good experience with breast reductions.  Good luck and take care, Dr. Howell

I use drains in 100% of my breast reduction patients.  The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method, which requires extensive dissection and for that reason I use drains for 3-5 days.  The breasts are reduce and reshaped creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevated them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  The weight of the breast is transferred to the underlying pectoralis major muscle resulting in pain relief without excessive reduction.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.  Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.