Lipo with no drains?

Question

I'm getting Lipo to my whole back area and abdomen. Ive spoken to a few offices and some have said i need to stay in the area a few days because i will have drains to be removed while others have said i will have NO DRAINS at all What are they doing different for the ones that won't have any drains ?

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I do not use drains for any of my liposuction cases in my practice and instead use compression garments post-operatively to help reduce post-operative swelling.  The only time drains are employed is when there is an excision or space and/or flaps are created in procedures such as an abdominoplasty or breast reduction.   I would discuss the use and purpose of drains with your operating surgeon and ensure that they are a board-certified plastic surgeon who is well-experienced in liposuction and body contouring procedures.

Marshall T. Partington, MD, FACS · Answer

Liposuction
is more commonly performed without drains. The compression is critical so that
you don't tend to accumulate fluid in the small tunnels that are left after
removal of fat.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

With liposuction technique employed by most surgeons drains are not only necessary but could not be situated anyway. Discuss this with your surgeon.

Christian Subbio, MD · Answer

I see no reason why you should need drains after liposuction.  Seromas after liposuction are extremely uncommon, especially if you are diligent with wearing your postoperative compression devices.  Compression garments will exert pressure which should prevent any fluid from building up, and speed the resolution of swelling.Best of luck!Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Mathew A. Plant, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Liposuction NEVER requires drains. Some of us will leave some of the small incisions open to allow for drainage, but no one should be actually putting drains in and making you go through that. Whoever is telling you that you will need them has no idea what they are doing and I would suggest you RUN!!!!!. Make sure you are only seeing board certified plastic surgeons when exploring your options for liposuction. Hope that helps!

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

For typical small liposuction areas, in   Most of our patients we do not use any drains. if however, we are doing large areas of liposuction on Monday, we will often use drains to minimize swelling and fluid buildup which is very helpful.

Richard J. Wassermann, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for reaching out. For a typical case of liposuction, I do not use drains, however, drain use is completely up to your specific surgeon. Compression garments or a Spanx type garment is used to decrease the post operative edema, but I would talk to your specific surgeon about his or her preferences. Best Wishes.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

There is rarely a reason to use drains with liposuction. Nearly all surgeons use just a compression garment.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I do not routinely use drains after isolated liposuction procedures.  Some surgeons use them with heating devices which tend to increase the risk of seromas.

Mark T. Boschert, MD · Answer

Liposuction never requires drains. When the operation is done as intended there should never be an indication for them. Are you sure you're not having some sort of excision which will create a space that needs to be drained ? That is about the only time I know anyone would use a drain. Be sure you were seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon.Good luck!

Lipo with no drains?

Answers (14)

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