Drain after butt implant removal - is it a must? (photos)

Question

Hello, I had a butt implant 12 years ago it’s not causing me any pain but I just want to remove it so that I can sleep better and to prepare for a future pregnancy. My question is: I consulted 2 doctors that I liked. One told me that he hill put drain tubes after surgery and the other won’t. Now I’m really confused. Is it necessary to put drain tubes after surgery for butt removal ? Please help. Thank you

Dev Vibhakar, DO, FACS · Answer

Hi!I think drains are necessary after butt implant removal. There is a large space where post operative fluid can accumulate, form a Seroma and even get infected. The drain helps eliminate all the fluid that builds in that space. Typically drains stay in for 5-7 days. Hope this helps.Check out my butt implant removal video below.Dr. Dev

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

Drains are a personal surgeon preference in my opinion. It truly depends on surgeon philosophy regarding what happens to that space in your body after the implants are removed.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

The more critical question is what are you going to do after the implant removal so that you are not left with a significant divot deformity. We utilize fat grafting as a means to supplement the volume lost followng implant removal. This must be done with great care using ultrasound assistance so none of the fat gets inadvertently placed into the pocket created where it can die. Also, I don't recommend you use a drain since the drain will suck the pocket down and create a contracture. You are less likely to get a deformity without a drain. A virtual consultation with a BBL revision expert is highly recommended.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I had a professor who once said “ no plastic surgeon ever regret putting in a drain“.

I didn’t quite understand what he meant at the time but now I do.

If a surgeon creates a potential open space during surgery like removing an implant or doing a tummy tuck that space can and sometimes it does fill up with fluid.

If there is a drain in place the fluid continuously leaves the body and the tissue surfaces can touch each other and adhere.  If there’s a fluid build up then the tissue surface is are not in contact and a seroma or chronic fluid collection develops.

When is aroma develops it requires surgical intervention to manage and this can be prevented by placing a drain.

So to answer your question it depends on what the probability is of developing a seroma and the consequence of a seroma forming.

Implants often create a thin membrane of scar tissue called a capsule and the more developed or thick this capsule is the more the surgeon needs to either remove the capsule and consider using a drain.

Implants placed intramuscularly are less likely to develop a significant capsule.
Removing a gluteal implant can also allow the skin and fat layer separated by the implant to slide down with gravity and hold the new position. To prevent this from happening quilting Sutures can be put in place so that the skin and fat layer stays in the correct place.

If these are not placed and this skin and fat layer slides down after taking out the implant and heals in this position it tends to not be very desirable and it’s difficult to correct later.

Perhaps a little difficult to comprehend. make sure your surgeon has taken out a lot of gluteal implants in the past.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

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