I am 39, 5'8" and 183 lbs. Would a drainless tummy tuck benefit me?

Question

I have had 4 pregnancies . I have had two abdominal surgeries one C-section and a hysterectomy. I was 208 pounds and have been going between 170 and 180 for the past year. I am done looking at this nasty tummy! Would I be a good candidate for a drainless tummy tuck?

Rodney A. Green, MD · Answer

The indications for a drainless Tummy tuck are the same as a tummy tuck in general. You seem to have  the indications. You have laxity of the skin of the abdomen and stretched muscles of the abdomen. Both of these will be addressed in the procedure. The drainless aspect is that the skin flap is stitched down to the underlying muscle to limit movement and to minimize the space that can fill with fluid. Drains are not used. This seems to be very effective in my experience and I have now almost completely eliminated drains for abdominoplasty. I still reserve the option to use drains if it seems like this would be necessary during the surgery.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Twoboystwogirls,
based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Olivier Deigni, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question and your pictures.
First of all, congratulations on maintaining your weight loss. It is a great step in getting you ready for a tummy tuck.
Although you would be best served with an exam in person, from your photographs alone it appears that you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck with some body contouring using liposuction.  Liposuction can help give you a much curvier silhouette especially by removing the excess tissues at the flanks. Pregnancy oftentimes will leave a woman with stretched out abdominal muscles that do not recover their pre-pregnancy state. Any resulting bulging appearance of the belly will not be fixed with exercise only but can only be adequately addressed with plication (tightening) of the muscles, which is performed during a tummy tuck.
There are several ways to do a tummy tuck and every plastic surgeon likely does it slightly differently. When I perform a tummy tuck I do not use drains and I have been extremely happy with the results. I use a technique called progressive tension sutures in which the sutures hold the abdominal skin in place and help minimize the space for any fluid to collect.
The no drain tummy tuck makes recovery much easier for my patients. Without the drains, patients are able to walk after surgery without the worry of the drains being pulled on and it avoids any pain or discomfort associated with the drains at the skin where they exit. Another technique I use during my tummy tuck is injection of Exparel, which is a long lasting local anesthetic that I place along the muscles that are tightened to help with pain relief during the recovery process.

Sometimes a tummy tuck can be combined with liposuction and also surgery on the breasts such as an augmentation, a reduction, a lift, or a combination. You can expect most of the recovery process and activity restrictions to be directed by the tummy tuck especially with the muscle separation repair. You should plan for light duty with lifting no more than 5-10 lbs for 4-6 weeks to allow your body to adequately heal.
Be sure to seek a consultation with a board-eligible or board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery and be sure they address all your concerns about liposuction and tummy tuck including the risks and benefits of the procedures, recovery time and postoperative course. 
I believe a key component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon. If you don’t feel you have a good connection after your consultation then they may not be the best surgeon for you. 
Good luck!
Olivier A. Deigni, MD, MPH

Winston Santos Arismendy, MD · Answer

Thank you for the pictures provided
Great News! you are a good candidate for a a drainless tummy tuck, due to weight and weight stability. this procedure would improve your recovery time  tremendously
We hope you have a great Surgery!
From Punta cana

Susan MacLennan, MD · Answer

Hi and thanks for your photosOn the basis of your photos, you look like a great tummy tuck candidate. You'll get your best results if you can get to your best weight (one that you can realistically maintain) before surgery. Drainless tummy tuck produces similar results to regular tummy tuck, but with an easier recovery and less risk of fluid collections and infections.  Best wishes-

I am 39, 5'8" and 183 lbs. Would a drainless tummy tuck benefit me?

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I am 39, 5'8" and 183 lbs. Would a drainless tummy tuck benefit me?

Answers (8)

Answer: Drainless tummy tuck

Answer: Drainless tummy tuck

Answer: Drainless tummy tuck candidate

Answer: Drainless tummy tuck candidate

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Everything you need to know about Drainless Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.