Mommy makeover - Drains vs. no drains? Advantage or disadvantages?

Question

I am a 52 year-old woman, and I am scheduled for a mommy makeover in March. When I was interviewing surgeons, I discovered that some use drains and some do not. I'm not looking forward to having drains, and I'm wondering why some surgeons don't use them. What are the advantages/disadvantages of using them, are there greater risks one way or the other, and should I reconsider my surgeon if he uses drains? Thank you in advance for your response!

Steven H. Wiener, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The answer is really up to your surgeon.  No drains tummy tuck is a marketing ploy.  You should not choose your surgeon based on the use of drains or no drains.  Interview several surgeons, review their pre-operative and post-operative photos.  Determine how long they have been in practice, how many procedures have they done?  Where will the surgery take place, what type of anesthesia is used.  These are the important questions to ask, drains vs. no drains is by surgeon preference, and do not use that as a criteria to choose your surgeon.

Julia Spears, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question!
Some surgeons use drains during a mommy makeover (abdominoplasty) to remove excess fluid and reduce the risk of complications like seroma and delayed healing. Other surgeons may avoid drains by using specialized internal suturing techniques that close the space where fluid would collect. 
However, this is not appropriate for every patient or every procedure.
Using drains means a surgeon is more cautious. In many cases, they are the safest way to protect your results. The best approach is individualized, so it’s important to ask your surgeon why drains are recommended for you.

Michael Baumholtz, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. 
the best answer anyone can give you is this -
assuming you are scheduled for surgery with a board certified plastic surgeon
1) ask your surgeon why and how drains are used.
If youre satisfied with your answer and you otherwise liked the surgeon (you mentioned you were already on the schedule for surgery) - then go with whatever technique that surgeon favors. typically there's a reason we tend to favor one way vs another (and the answer is usually related to what works best in our hands).

2) as an aside - I've never met a case where I was unhappy I used drains - but I've seen enough where I wish drains were used (my cases or others).

Hope that helps and wish you well!

Dr B

Mommy makeover - Drains vs. no drains? Advantage or disadvantages?

Answers (3)

More Mommy Makeover Questions

3 kids via c-section - Lipo 360 or will a tummy tuck be enough for good results? (Photos)

Mommy makeover with hypermobile Ehlers-danlos syndrome - expectations for healing and scars?

Is a breast lift, 360 tummy tuck/body lift, lipo, and bbl all in one surgery too much? (Photo)

Breast lift with augmentation, Lipo 360 circular tummy tuck & BBL, lower bleph & rhinoplasty. Are these procedures ok at once?

Beta thalassemia minor - how can I increase my hemoglobin for a mommy makeover?

Is it reasonable to combine a mommy makeover with full vaginal rejuvenation (vaginoplasty + labiaplasty + fat transfer)?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS