There’s a good chance you’ve heard of a tummy tuck. In fact, you may know someone who has one or be considering one if you’d like a flatter, more toned abdomen. While a traditional tummy tuck is a good choice for many patients, a drainless tummy tuck may be an option that is worth exploring.
While a traditional tummy tuck focuses on the lower abdomen and muscles, and uses cumbersome drains, a drainless tummy tuck does the opposite and avoids the use of drains. Keep reading to learn more about what a drainless tummy tuck is and how you may benefit from this less popular yet highly effective and life-changing procedure.
How a Drainless Tummy Tuck Works
Also known as a drainless abdominoplasty, a drainless tummy tuck is performed to remove loose, sagging skin from the area above the belly button. It can tighten and contour your abdominal region to give you more confidence and self-esteem.
During a drainless tummy tuck, a surgeon makes an incision along the lower abdomen and hones in on removing the lax skin throughout your abdomen. Fortunately, you can easily hide these incisions under your underwear or swimsuit.
It’s important to note that a drainless tummy tuck differs from a traditional tummy tuck in that it doesn’t employ postoperative drains. This is possible through the use of internal progressive tension sutures, which decrease the internal cavity that can otherwise collect fluid. In many cases, patients pair a drainless tummy tuck with other body contouring procedures, like breast implants and lifts, which can use the same incision to deliver exceptional, dramatic results.
In general, a drainless tummy tuck is a safe procedure, especially when it’s performed by a highly skilled and experienced surgeon. However, as with any surgical procedure, it does come with some risks, like scarring, would formation, and infection. The good news is that these risks are rare.
Recovering From a Drainless Tummy Tuck
The recovery process for a drainless tummy tuck is usually similar to a traditional tummy tuck.The difference is that you do not have to care for postoperative drains, which are sometimes uncomfortable and sometimes cumbersome to maintain.
While recovery time varies from patient to patient, one to two weeks is fairly typical. You can expect to go home in a surgical bandage, which we will later replace with compression garments to reduce swelling and bruising.
You can manage any pain or discomfort you experience with over-the-counter or prescription medications. As long as you have a desk job, you can resume work in a few days and rigorous physical activity in approximately four weeks.
Who is a Candidate for Drainless Tummy Tuck?
As you explore your surgical options, you should understand that a drainless tummy tuck isn’t intended to replace a traditional tummy tuck in all patients. Oftentimes, we perform drainless tummy tucks on patients who are at low risk of accumulating a postoperative fluid collection. You may be a good candidate for a drainless tummy tuck if any of these statements apply to you:
- You are concerned about lax skin in your abdominal area.
- You have excess fatty tissue in the abdominal region.
- You have a full “diastasis recti”, which affects the contour in your abdominal area.
- You are in reasonably good health and have realistic expectations about the results.
Benefits of a Drainless Tummy Tuck
There are several reasons you may want to move forward with a drainless tummy tuck, including:
Improved Appearance
By removing excess skin from the abdominal area, you can enjoy a flatter midsection. This can be a huge plus if you’ve already lost a lot of weight and have residual loose or extra skin and soft tissue.
Better Posture
Since a drainless tummy tuck tightens the loose skin in the abdominal area, it may improve your posture. Improved posture is particularly important for your spine and can effectively reduce back pain.
Less Skin Issues
If you have excess skin in the abdominals, you may face infections or rashes. A drainless tummy tuck can reduce the risk of these uncomfortable problems.
Increased Confidence
With a drainless tummy tuck, you can feel good about the way you look. This procedure also opens the doors to tighter clothing options that you might not have considered in the past.
Schedule a Drainless Tummy Tuck Consultation in Bellevue Today!
If you’re interested in a drainless tummy tuck at Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery in Bellevue, we encourage you to contact us for a no-obligation consultation. We can evaluate your abdominal area and help you determine whether you’re a good candidate for this procedure.
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