How Does a Tummy Tuck Binder Help with Drains and Recovery?

Thank you for the question.

Drains are used to remove fluid from the space between the abdominal wall skin (that has been elevated during the coming procedure) and the underlying abdominal wall muscles. This space can be called a “dead space” and tends to fill with fluid that can be troublesome if left in place.  I will remove drains when the output is low (typically less than 20 mL per drain per day).

Abdominal wall binders also are helpful in keeping a moderate amount of compression along the tissues that have been elevated during the abdominoplasty procedure. The binder also serves to keep dressing someplace minimizing the need for irritating tape.  Some patients actually appreciate the “security” the binder and/or other compressive garments seem to provide. We usually get rid of the binder at the one-month postop. And replace it with moderately compressing garments (granny underwear).

 I hope this helps.

Hello!  Thank you for your question!.  The tummy tuck procedure is an excellent method for contouring of your abdomen, often removing the excess skin as well as tightening the abdominal wall.  After nearly all surgical procedures, a potential space is created from where the surgical procedure/dissection was performed.  This is especially true for the tummy tuck, in where the abdominal flap is raised off of the abdominal wall and then redraped atop the area to contour the abdomen.  The procedure alone promotes swelling and inflammation, which typically lasts for 6-12 weeks.  This may even last longer if liposuction has been performed in addition.  During this time, a few things may be done to allow adherence of the abdominal skin/soft tissue to readhere to the abdominal wall and close that space.  Many surgeons use drains to evacuate the expected serous fluid from building up.  Stagnant fluid as such may be a nidus for infection as well as does not allow the tissue to adhere back to its normal anatomic position.  Drains usually are removed once output is <30cc/day - usually removed within 3-4 weeks on average, sometimes longer.  When this occurs, a seroma may develop - which may require aspiration or surgical evacuation to rid this in order to optimize your result.  This is not an uncommon reason for persistent swelling and/or bulging in a certain area of your belly.  Of course, thwarting the development of a pseudobursa, or seroma capsule, is always best, to provide the best result as well as avoid any future procedures for this.  This may be a troubling consequence and often compromises your overall result.  Thus avoiding this complication, in whatever manner, is the objective.  "Drainless" tummy tucks are becoming more popular - basically, the overlying tissue is physically sutured to the abdominal wall to close the potential space.  In addition, most surgeons typically restrict vigorous activity/strenuous exercise as well as lifting restrictions of usually <20#, especially the core, for 6-8 weeks to allow healing to continue.  Most also often recommend an abdominal compression-type binder, which will serve to provide compression as well as assist to decrease swelling and eliminate the dead-space of the area for at least 6 weeks as well.  Most patients are able to return to most activities within a couple of weeks, provided they adhere to the restrictions.  Overall, this is a procedure with a high satisfaction rate.  Discuss the procedure and postoperative instructions/restrictions with your surgeon, as these will vary among surgeons.  Hope that this helps!  Best wishes!

In my practice I have patients wear a binder for six weeks.  The binder protects the muscle repair while the sutures internally are healing.  The binder also has a role with post-operative swelling.