I really want a tummy tuck, but I was told I need a drain. What is a drain and do I really need one?

Plastic surgeons have been using drains for decades to control fluid accumulations that occurs after surgery called seromas. These drains are pieces of soft plastic tubing placed inside your body which allows the fluid to come out through a small hole where it is collected in a suction container. Often these can be the most painful part of a procedure recovery as the drain goes through the skin, which is the most sensitive part of your body. There are some reconstructive procedures in plastic surgery where leaving a drain is important, but for the majority of cosmetic procedures done today, drains are a relic of the past. This is especially true for tummy tucks where appropriately placed “progression tension sutures” eliminate the need for a drain entirely. At Hass Plastic Surgery we also perform the lipoabdominoplasty without drains which allows the doctor to liposuction the abdomen and the flanks and give a great hourglass shape with a low scar. Come by our office for a complimentary cosmetic consultation to learn more.