Are drains required for liposuction of stomach, flanks and back?

If you have a big belly that hangs down over your pubic area then when you get liposuction there is a large cavity where the fat was removed which can fill up with serum and take a long time to absorb away and which then can inhibit the skin from contracting and tightening. Most patients who we used to do tummy tucks on, now get lipo alone instead and their bellies tighten up nicely without hanging skin. This is because the smaller cannulas are more precise and easy to control and can remove some of the fat just under the dermis skin which then can allow the skin to contract and shrink a lot. This doesn't work with the larger cannulas since they tend to puncture through the skin and cause problems. This is why being able to stand up during the procedure under local anesthesia is so critical to getting great results because of the fine tuning which the smaller instruments allow us to do. On big bellies, the drains are left in for usually 2 days and the usual compression garments are used for the usual 4 weeks.The drains are rarely used but when needed, they perform a vital job. Most patients dont feel or even know they have a drain in anyway so don't worry. Sincerely, David Hansen,MD

  Drains are not required after a liposuction procedure.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA....................

Although there are some doctors that use drains after liposuction, the vast majority do not. To reduce the amount of swelling and fluid in the tissue following liposuction, external compression is the most important post-operative treatment. Thanks for your question!

Good morning!Surgeons have different ideas about drains and liposuction- I personally do not use them because I think the benefit is minimal and the potential for infection can be increased.  There are other surgeons that swear by them claiming they decrease the swelling after surgery.  In my practice we use postoperative Endermologie treatments (it is a mechanically assisted massage therapy) starting about ten days after surgery to help mobilize the fluid trapped in the tissues to help smooth contours and help hasten your bodies natural elimination of the swelling-and the patients love the treatments!!  IN my opinion, the Endermologie coupled with compressive garments for the first few weeks are ideal to help give patients the look they desire.I hope this helps

Some doctors have in the past used drains, but I do not think they are necessary and I do not use them.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Properly performed liposuction does not leave enough space for even placement of a drain. Drains are not necessary for liposuction.

Typically, drains are not required for liposuction of the stomach, flanks, or back. However, as I have performed more comprehensive liposuction for my Brazilian Butt Lifts with fat grafting, I have seen the drainage from the incision sites increase. I usually leave the incisions sites open to allow for drainage and use compression dressings for two or more weeks.

during my first 8 years as a plastic surgeon i did not use drains for liposuction, all of my patients were counseled about the significant amount of fluid that they will have, coming out of the access wounds during the first 48 hours and  also the mess that this will cause.In the last 5 years I have been using drains in my abdominal and also back liposuctions patients, a small drain andd the patients have a more controlled liquid drainage and also a slightly less swelling development after their surgeries, the drain can be remove at 48 hours or at the first visit, it does become bothersome for the patients, but in my opinion it is of benefit for my patients and in a retrospective evaluation, I wish I had started using then, earlier in my career.It is amazing to me how many surgeons are talking categorically without having the experience of the use of the drains

Liposuction is an effective, simple, outpatient procedure that permanently removes fat from localized deposits on the body.  As opposed to excisional surgery such as a breast lift or tummy tuck, liposuction only makes tiny incisions where small cannulas are inserted to suck out fat and smooth out body contours.Drains are not needed, as the incisions are small, the body's skin will contract over the smaller, contoured area when a postoperative compression garment is worn, and the recovery is generally 2-3 weeks.  Bruising and some "achy numbness" can be expected, but this is temporary.  Results are permanent!Karen M. Horton, M.D.San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Thank your for your question. The majority of surgeons will not place drains after liposuction procedures. I personally, will leave the incisions open to drain residual tumescent fluid onto gauze pads. The most important aspect after surgery is to wear your compression garments.Best Regards,Dr. Stutman