Swelling with no-drain tummy tuck
There is going to be swelling of the tissues with either a normal tummy tuck with drains or one done without drains. I have done a tummy tuck both ways but have switched to the no-drain tummy tuck for the last 8 years.
There is initially slightly more swelling of the lower abdomen with the no-drain technique. In addition, there are often small dimples in the skin where the internal quilting sutures are pulling on the skin.
There is less pain, with the no-drain patient because they do not have drains pinching their skin. After 3-4 weeks, the swelling and appearance of the no-drain tummy tuck patient has equalized with that of the normal tummy tuck patient.
It will take both patients a good 3-6 months to completely resolve the swelling. (Derek J. Shadid, MD, Oklahoma City Plastic Surgeon)
Drains and tummy tucks
Every surgeon is different. I prefer to place drains under the abdominal flap for relief of fluid collecting under the flap. Perhaps patients will have more swelling without drains. (Steven Wallach, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)
Most experienced plastic surgeons use drains for tummy tucks
The most common complication of an abdominoplasty is a seroma (fluid collection). In my experience and in the plastic surgery literature, drains help prevent seromas. They should be left in place at least one week.
And drains have no real down side other than temporary discomfort. There are many important technical details in tummy tucks, and drains are just one example. Everything else being equal, go with the surgeon who uses drains. (George J. Beraka, MD (retired), Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)
I prefer to have drains after Tummy Tuck
Each surgeon you speak with may have minor differences in their technique, occasionally major ones. Decisions regarding one element of the surgery affect others.
The routine I use is to place one drain under the tissues before closing the abdominoplasty incision, and to leave it in place until there is little fluid coming out (usually several days). Another surgeon may use a different method. Does my method result in less swelling? Since I do not compare similar patients with and without, I cannot tell you.
I think my method reduces a complication that sometimes occurs with tummy tuck known as seroma, a fluid collection. Ask your surgeon’s advice and reasoning on this subject. (Sutton Graham II, MD, Greenville Plastic Surgeon)
You should use drains with abdominoplasty
It is standard practice to use drains with abdominoplasty. Some people advocate not placing drains, however this is not common. If you do not have drains and you collect fluid under the skin, then you could have a seroma requiring drainage. (David Shafer, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)