I got visited a doctoe and got a quote on a tummy tuck procedure last year. I've contacted the office again to talk about scheduling but have to wait 8 weeks for a visit. I just now discovered the "drainless" tummy tuck on this site. The draining was always the part about recovery that I feared and dreaded. Can someone tell me what the additional risks are if any and if it would likely be more expensive Been budgeting for the standard procedure. MS - North Jersey
Answer: There are no significant increased risks with drainless tummy tuck. I have been using the drainless approach to Tummy Tuck surgery. I use the technique which sutures the skin flap down to the muscle with multiple stitches. I think that there are many advantages and that this helps reduce the tension on the scar. There is always a risk of fluid collection under the skin flap after a tummy tuck, but if anything the risk is lower using the technique of stitching down the skin flap.
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Answer: There are no significant increased risks with drainless tummy tuck. I have been using the drainless approach to Tummy Tuck surgery. I use the technique which sutures the skin flap down to the muscle with multiple stitches. I think that there are many advantages and that this helps reduce the tension on the scar. There is always a risk of fluid collection under the skin flap after a tummy tuck, but if anything the risk is lower using the technique of stitching down the skin flap.
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Answer: Tummy tuck candidate Dear Mojonz,
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Answer: Tummy tuck candidate Dear Mojonz,
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
October 2, 2018
Answer: Tummy Tucks do NOT need drains! I am baffled by the number of surgeons who still use drains. I have been doing drainless tummy tucks for more than 12 years, and I can tell you that there are no additional risks with this technique. Actually to the contrary, the risk of seroma is the same and the risk of infection is lower.Additionally, there should be no increased cost for this technique. Surgical time is marginally increased by 5 to 10 minutes, so this should not affect the OR or the anesthesia costs.Here's how it works:In a traditional tummy tuck procedure, drains are used to prevent fluid accumulation in the “open space” created beneath the abdominal flap (skin and fat) and above the muscle. Through a fairly simple modification of the surgery—the use of progressive tension sutures—this space can be eliminated.
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October 2, 2018
Answer: Tummy Tucks do NOT need drains! I am baffled by the number of surgeons who still use drains. I have been doing drainless tummy tucks for more than 12 years, and I can tell you that there are no additional risks with this technique. Actually to the contrary, the risk of seroma is the same and the risk of infection is lower.Additionally, there should be no increased cost for this technique. Surgical time is marginally increased by 5 to 10 minutes, so this should not affect the OR or the anesthesia costs.Here's how it works:In a traditional tummy tuck procedure, drains are used to prevent fluid accumulation in the “open space” created beneath the abdominal flap (skin and fat) and above the muscle. Through a fairly simple modification of the surgery—the use of progressive tension sutures—this space can be eliminated.
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June 11, 2021
Answer: Less risks if any I routinely perform drainless tummy tucks in all my patients. Multiple studies with large numbers of patients have now shown drainless tummy tucks to be very safe - some have even shown decreased rates of postoperative fluid collections (seroma). They can take a bit longer to perform so the cost may be a bit higher, but in my opinion it is well worth it. Best of luck with your procedure!Emile N. Brown, MDJohns Hopkins & Harvard Trained Plastic Surgeon
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June 11, 2021
Answer: Less risks if any I routinely perform drainless tummy tucks in all my patients. Multiple studies with large numbers of patients have now shown drainless tummy tucks to be very safe - some have even shown decreased rates of postoperative fluid collections (seroma). They can take a bit longer to perform so the cost may be a bit higher, but in my opinion it is well worth it. Best of luck with your procedure!Emile N. Brown, MDJohns Hopkins & Harvard Trained Plastic Surgeon
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June 11, 2021
Answer: Drainless Tummy Tuck The drainless tummy tuck can be a bit more expensive. If special tissue glue is used there is the additional cost of the glue, which is around 700 extra dollars. If "progressive tension sutures" are used, this adds about 30 minutes to the operating time, which will increase the costs. It is important to realize that the drainless techniques are best suited to patients at a nearly ideal body weight. The major risk of a drainless technique is something called a seroma, which is an accumulation of the fluid that the drains would draw out from under the skin. If a patient gets a seroma, it is no big deal but it may require the placement of a drain during the recovery period. Best wishes.
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June 11, 2021
Answer: Drainless Tummy Tuck The drainless tummy tuck can be a bit more expensive. If special tissue glue is used there is the additional cost of the glue, which is around 700 extra dollars. If "progressive tension sutures" are used, this adds about 30 minutes to the operating time, which will increase the costs. It is important to realize that the drainless techniques are best suited to patients at a nearly ideal body weight. The major risk of a drainless technique is something called a seroma, which is an accumulation of the fluid that the drains would draw out from under the skin. If a patient gets a seroma, it is no big deal but it may require the placement of a drain during the recovery period. Best wishes.
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