Surgical drains are a feared part of abdominoplasty surgery for many patients. They are awkward, irritating, and uncomfortable. The tubes and collection devices make walking, dressing, and showering more difficult. This can translate into a longer recovery period. Los Angeles drainless tummy tuck patients worry about the pain that can be associated with pulling the drainage tubes out. Drains are commonly used in surgery to prevent fluid from accumulating between tissue planes.
In tummy tuck surgery, there is a space between the abdominal wall and the overlying fat and skin (the abdominal “flap”). If nothing is done to close this space, the body will do what it normally does during the healing process – produce fluid. Since there is nothing to restrict the fluid from accumulating, a seroma can form in this space. Basically, the tissue produces fluid faster than it can reabsorb. Plastic surgeons place negative suction drains in spaces like this to both remove the fluid and create suction between the tissue planes. However – there is a way to eliminate this space without using uncomfortable drainage tubes.
