:1. Do I have to have a drain after a tummy tuck?
Many people are asking about whether or not it is necessary to have a drain placed after a tummy tuck procedure. The decision to place a drain isn’t a straightforward yes or no and there are many different aspects to take into consideration before the surgeon will decide.
Historically, surgeons placed drains after every tummy tuck procedure to allow any accumulating fluid, referred to as seroma, a way to exit the body. During a tummy tuck procedure excess abdominal skin is removed and the remaining skin is then repositioned and tightened. This process can create what is medically referred to as “dead space”. Dead space is a new pocket that is created between tissues that are normally connected, in this case, the skin and fat layer and muscle layer. The accumulation of fluid in this created space is detrimental to the healing process and can cause postoperative swelling among other complications. Drains typically remain in place for one to two weeks while the separated layers of skin, fat and muscle rejoin. The exact length of time before your surgeon removes the drain depends on their recommendations at your postoperative examination. …show more content…
In 2009 a method called progressive tension suturing started to become an option. Progressive tension suturing, or drainless tummy tuck procedures, are becoming more commonly requested and favoured by surgeons for a number of reasons. Patients report being more comfortable post-operatively and that the healing time is typically less than they expected. The progressive tension suturing method involves suturing the newly separated layers of fat and muscle together with absorbable suture material. The healing time with this method is typically around 10 to 14 days and fluid accumulation is reported as minimal in most
Many people are asking about whether or not it is necessary to have a drain placed after a tummy tuck procedure. The decision to place a drain isn’t a straightforward yes or no and there are many different aspects to take into consideration before the surgeon will decide.
Historically, surgeons placed drains after every tummy tuck procedure to allow any accumulating fluid, referred to as seroma, a way to exit the body. During a tummy tuck procedure excess abdominal skin is removed and the remaining skin is then repositioned and tightened. This process can create what is medically referred to as “dead space”. Dead space is a new pocket that is created between tissues that are normally connected, in this case, the skin and fat layer and muscle layer. The accumulation of fluid in this created space is detrimental to the healing process and can cause postoperative swelling among other complications. Drains typically remain in place for one to two weeks while the separated layers of skin, fat and muscle rejoin. The exact length of time before your surgeon removes the drain depends on their recommendations at your postoperative examination. …show more content…
In 2009 a method called progressive tension suturing started to become an option. Progressive tension suturing, or drainless tummy tuck procedures, are becoming more commonly requested and favoured by surgeons for a number of reasons. Patients report being more comfortable post-operatively and that the healing time is typically less than they expected. The progressive tension suturing method involves suturing the newly separated layers of fat and muscle together with absorbable suture material. The healing time with this method is typically around 10 to 14 days and fluid accumulation is reported as minimal in most