Drainless Tummy Tuck

A drainless tummy tuck, also referred to as a drainless abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat over the abdomen while tightening the abdominal muscles– all without utilizing post-operative drains.

Sculpting the midsection on one’s own can be difficult, even with proper diet, exercise, and adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle. Despite one’s best efforts, most continue to struggle with excess skin, weakened and displaced abdominal muscles, or stubborn fat that does not seem to respond to traditional methods. Excess skin will not respond to diet and exercise, and abdominal muscles that have been stretched and displaced during pregnancies and weight gain will not return to their anatomical position without surgical intervention. The drainless tummy tuck provides patients with all of the benefits of a tummy tuck procedure, without the downside of postoperative drains. Drains can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, and rarely can introduce bacteria and result in infection.

Dr. Lisa Brostrom, Dr. Dallas W. Homas, and their team at New Image Plastic Surgery are at the forefront of innovative plastic surgical procedures, offering a variety of transformative interventions like the drainless tummy tuck.

To learn more about drainless tummy tuck procedures and to see if you are a potential candidate, contact us by calling (210) 640-6310 (Dr. Homas) or (210) 607-6316 (Dr. Brostrom).

About Drainless Tummy Tuck Procedures

Loose skin and excess fat over the abdomen are common concerns for many individuals, especially after a period of significant weight loss, pregnancy, or as part of the natural aging process. While exercise and healthy eating can help improve muscle tone and reduce fat in certain areas, they will not address sagging skin, separated abdominal muscles, or resistant focal fat pockets leading many individuals to seek cosmetic procedures such as a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty.

A drainless tummy tuck is an innovative version of the traditional tummy tuck procedure. Unlike standard techniques that require post-operative drains to remove excess fluid, this advanced method utilizes progressive tension sutures to secure the skin and fat of the abdominal wall to the underlying muscle to reduce the formation of fluid pockets. This process not only eliminates the need for postoperative drains but also allows for a quicker and smoother recovery process for most patients.

Benefits of the Drainless Tummy Tuck

The potential benefits associated with a drainless tummy tuck are numerous. Traditional tummy tuck procedures provide a host of benefits themselves, and drainless tummy tuck operations can provide similar benefits with fewer drawbacks.

Patients often experience a more seamless recovery process and improved satisfaction with their results. There is also evidence to support the effectiveness of this drainless technique in reducing postoperative complications, with progressive tension sutures being shown to significantly reduce the risk of seroma (fluid collection) formation after abdominoplasty. (1) Beyond the advantages of the procedure itself, drainless tummy tuck procedures can provide benefits that include, but are not limited to, the following:

In addition to the physical benefits, the drainless tummy tuck can also provide mental benefits that can have a noticeable impact on patients’ overall quality of life. Removing excess skin and fat over the abdominal wall boosts individuals’ confidence to take on the world.

Ideal Candidates

Several factors impact whether or not someone is an ideal candidate for a drainless tummy tuck procedure, and your eligibility for this procedure will ultimately be determined by your surgeon. In general, ideal candidates for a drainless tummy tuck are individuals in otherwise good health who are seeking improvements in the aesthetics of their abdominal area. Typical candidates for this procedure include those who have:

Patients should be at or near their ideal body weight and have realistic expectations about the results they can achieve with this procedure. Because of its ability to inhibit the healing process, patients must stop all nicotine products 4 weeks before their procedure. Ultimately, your eligibility for a drainless tummy tuck procedure will be determined during your consultation with your surgeon, which you can schedule by contacting the New Image Plastic Surgery team by calling (210) 640-6310 (Dr. Homas) or (210) 607-6316 (Dr. Brostrom).

Personal Consultation

The first step on your journey to a flat and firm abdomen is to book a personal consultation with your surgeon at New Image Plastic Surgery. During this meeting, your surgeon will get to know you and your medical history, and discuss what you hope to accomplish with cosmetic procedures. Using the information gathered during this personal conversation, your surgeon will create a customized treatment plan to help you achieve your goals. This treatment plan will include details for the preparation, procedure, and recovery processes as well as recommendations for additional procedures your surgeon might recommend to help you achieve your goals.

During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your concerns and ask any questions about the drainless tummy tuck procedure. Your surgeon will explain the steps involved, what you can expect during recovery, and the potential outcomes of the surgery.

To schedule this potentially life-changing consultation, contact New Image Plastic Surgery at (210) 640-6310 (Dr. Homas) or (210) 607-6316 (Dr. Brostrom).

What to Ask During an Abdominoplasty Consultation

Before obtaining a consultation about a drainless tummy tuck procedure, it helps to have a set of questions in mind to prepare your expectations. You will want to discuss specific goals rather than communicating a general feeling of dissatisfaction with your figure. Helpful questions to ask Dr. Homas or Dr. Brostrom during your tummy tuck consultation include:

Preparation

As with any procedure, the preparation process is incredibly important to ensure the success of your operation. Your surgeon will provide you with detailed preoperative instructions and guide you through the entire preparation process. Generally, patients will be advised to avoid nicotine and tobacco products, as these can impede healing and increase the risk of complications. It is also likely that you will be asked to discontinue the use of blood-thinning medications and NSAIDs as well as any medications your surgeon feels might interfere with the procedure. Because this is a surgical procedure, patients must arrange for transportation following the operation, as well as assistance during the initial recovery period.

Procedure

Every procedure will look different depending on the patient as well as whether or not any additional procedures are performed. Most drainless tummy tuck procedures are performed under general anesthesia to ensure patient comfort. Once the patient is comfortable, a horizontal incision is made just above the pubic area. The placement of this incision ensures that any resulting scar can be easily concealed by clothing or swimwear. The skin and fat are freed up from the underlying muscle up to your breast bone centrally, and up to your ribcage on the sides.

Once this is done, your surgeon works to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove the excess fat and skin over the abdomen, creating a smoother, flatter abdominal aesthetic. Progressive tension sutures are then used to attach the skin to the underlying tissues. These sutures eliminate the need for post-surgical drains by preventing fluid build-up, reducing complications, and promoting faster healing. Procedure times will vary, but patients can expect their drainless tummy tuck procedure to last several hours.

Recovery

Recovery from a drainless tummy tuck is generally smoother and more comfortable than a traditional tummy tuck, thanks to the elimination of surgical drains. Patients can expect mild to moderate swelling and pain during their recovery. Patients will be provided with a compression garment to support the healing process. Most patients can return to work and light activities within two weeks, although strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least six weeks or until otherwise advised by Dr. Brostrom or Dr. Homas who will provide detailed postoperative instructions to ensure an optimal recovery. Dr. Brostrom or Dr. Homas will monitor your recovery process during follow-up appointments over the subsequent weeks and months.

Results

New Image Plastic Surgery is one of the most sought-after names in plastic surgery for a reason. They are notorious for consistently producing stunning results for their patients. The results of a drainless tummy tuck can be transformative, providing patients with a flatter, firmer, and more aesthetically-desired abdomen. While some improvements are noticeable immediately, the final results become apparent over the following weeks and months as the healing process continues.

To maintain your results, it is important to follow a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a balanced diet. Drainless tummy tuck procedures have been shown to significantly improve people’s quality of life, self-esteem, and body image, with the operation consistently yielding high satisfaction rates among patients. (2)

Cost of a Drainless Tummy Tuck in San Antonio

The cost of a drainless tummy tuck varies depending on the complexity of the procedure and any additional treatments that may be included. A detailed estimate of the costs will be provided during your consultation. New Image Plastic Surgery does offer financing options to those who qualify.

References

1. Gallagher S, Soleimani T, Wang C, Tholpady S, Jones C, Sando W. Safety and Utility of the Drainless Abdominoplasty in the Post–Bariatric Surgery Patient. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2018;80(2):96-99. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/sap.0000000000001291
2. Khan FAA, Fatima M. Abdominoplasty without Drains or Progressive Tension Suturing. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2021;45(4):1660-1666. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-021-02177-8