Is it possible to have a drainless circumferential body lift?

Thank you for your questions. Often I have patients who are scared and afraid of drains and then once they have them, they realize that they are not that bad. Any procedure can be done without a drain, but the question remains, is that the best method? Drains are useful to remove fluid from the surgical site and to prevent complications. I find it better to put the drains in and then remove them when they are no longer needed. The alternative is to try not to use them and then try to figure out how to deal with problems when they arise. Studies have shown that over 50% of patients who have "drainless" procedures end up undergoing needle aspiration drainage of fluid collections in the office during the post-op period and I think this is worse than having a drain.Hope this helps!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

You can perform any procedure without a drain.  The concern would be whether no drains would provide you with the smallest risk for complications.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Great question!  For body lifts, absolutely you need to have drains.  Personally, I use drains for tummy tucks as well.  The reason is with both of these procedures, you are creating a lot of "empty space" that tends to fill with fluid.  I have several colleagues who use the drainless tummy tuck technique but their seroma rates are very high and some have to even re-operate to remove the seroma.  I personally don't feel the risk is worth the benefits - the drains are only in for 1 week for the vast majority of patients.  If you end up getting a seroma, you would need to have it drained a few times a week by sticking a big needle into the fluid collection.Best of luck and hope this information helps!
- Dr. Roger Tsai  @DrRogerTsai
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon