Ask people considering a tummy tuck what worries them most, and the answer is often not the surgery. It’s a specific part of what comes after: the drains.
Surgical drains serve an important purpose in many procedures. They are put in place temporarily to remove excess fluids from the surgical site. Drains are very effective for reducing the risk of fluid buildup and helping the area heal faster. In some cases, they are necessary.
In many cases, however, a tummy tuck can be performed using a drainless technique that eliminates the need for drains during recovery. This also eliminates a major fear that blocks some patients from having a procedure that could change their body and their confidence for the better.
At the Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery in Grand Rapids, MI, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Alfonso performs the drainless technique for the majority of his tummy tuck patients. If you are considering a tummy tuck, here’s what you should know about this option.
During a traditional tummy tuck, the surgeon lifts and repositions the abdominal skin. This creates a space between the skin and the tissues below. Fluid naturally accumulates in that space during the healing process, and drains remove it from the body so it does not cause complications.
A drainless tummy tuck works by sealing off the space where fluid buildup could occur. Dr. Alfonso places rows of internal absorbable sutures, starting deep and working outward, that close the space layer by layer. The body gradually absorbs the sutures as the tissue heals.
Dr. Alfonso often likens the technique to quilting.
“Just like a quilt, I place sutures throughout the area to decrease the open space and also minimize any tissue motion. These two factors help reduce fluid buildup.” — Dr. David Alfonso
The technique adds a small amount of time to the procedure (roughly 15 minutes) with the upside of a more convenient and comfortable recovery.
The main benefit of the drainless tummy tuck technique is improving your experience as a patient. Drains can irritate your skin, limit your mobility, increase the risk of infection and extend the amount of time you must wait before you can shower. Drains must be actively managed, and they may accidentally leak, become blocked or fall out.
For many patients, the thought of dealing with drains is daunting. You may find the visual of fluid collecting or the process of emptying the drains to be unpleasant. The psychological discomfort can be more challenging to overcome than the actual physical realities of handling drains.
A drainless tummy tuck has many potential benefits:
It is simply a more approachable option for many people, and one we’re excited to be able to offer at the Bengtson Center through Dr. Alfonso.
Most patients who are candidates for a tummy tuck are also candidates for the drainless technique. That includes:
The main limitation is significant scar tissue from a prior abdominal procedure, which can make the internal suturing technique unsuitable. Dr. Alfonso evaluates this during your consultation.
If the results are comparable and the recovery is easier, why wouldn’t every surgeon do it this way?
The drainless technique is not offered by all plastic surgeons. Historically, it has not been part of most plastic surgery residency programs, so it requires additional training.
It is also a matter of preference. Some surgeons feel drains offer better outcomes for their patients. There is great diversity of thought in the plastic surgery field, and that’s a good thing. Patients deserve to have options.
By Dr. Alfonso’s estimate, roughly 10-15% of plastic surgeons currently offer the drainless technique for a standard tummy tuck. For more complex procedures like circumferential body lifting, he estimates that number drops to 5% or less.
Traditional tummy tucks with drains have a long, proven track record. Drainless tummy tucks are increasing in popularity for their convenience and comfort. At the Bengtson Center, you have access to both and can choose the technique that feels right for you.
Dr. Alfonso is a board-certified plastic surgeon and the body contouring lead at the Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery in Grand Rapids. He has performed more than 1,000 tummy tucks since January 2020 and uses the drainless technique for nearly all of them (including circumferential cases, which few surgeons perform without drains).
Dr. Alfonso adopted the technique after a rigorous assessment of its benefits. He began incorporating it into mini tummy tuck procedures and gradually expanded to full abdominoplasties and eventually circumferential body lifts as he saw the results it provided his patients. He now educates other surgeons on how to perform the technique.
READ DR. ALFONSO’S TESTIMONIALS
If you’re considering a tummy tuck and want to find out whether the drainless technique is right for you, the next step is a consultation with Dr. Alfonso.
Many patients come to the Bengtson Center from throughout Michigan and outside the state specifically for this technique. Virtual consultations are available for out-of-town patients.
Call 616-202-5640 or book now to get started.
A drainless tummy tuck is an abdominoplasty performed using rows of internal, absorbable sutures that close the space between tissue layers from the inside. This eliminates the need for external drains to manage fluid after surgery.
A surgical drain is a thin, flexible tube placed near an incision to remove excess fluid that collects during the healing process. Drains are intended to prevent complications and help the wound heal faster. The drawback is that they require active management by the patient, which can include emptying, tracking output and monitoring for leaks or blockage.
Yes. The drainless technique uses the same well-established surgical approach as a traditional tummy tuck, with the addition of internal absorbable sutures to close the tissue layers. The sutures are the same type used safely in many different surgical specialties. A consultation with Dr. Alfonso is required to confirm you’re a good candidate for the drainless approach.
The internal suturing technique adds approximately 15 minutes to the procedure compared to a traditional tummy tuck with drains. You are under anesthesia during this time and do not experience the additional minutes.
Absolutely. Patients travel to the Bengtson Center from throughout the United States and from other countries for the expertise of our surgeons. Virtual consultations and concierge services are available to make the process convenient if you are not local.
Are you ready to take the next step to a more beautiful you? Plastic Surgeons Dr. Bengtson, Dr. Alfonso and Dr. Horriat, along with the team at The Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery, provide advanced plastic surgery and cosmetic treatment for patients from Grand Rapids, Birmingham, Detroit, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. We specialize in breast augmentation, breast implants, and tummy tuck surgery, as well as laser hair removal, Micro-Needling, BOTOX Cosmetic, JUVÉDERM, and other dermal fillers. Results may vary from person to person.
Grand Rapids
2155 E Paris Ave SE, Suite 100,
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
(616) 588-8880
Byron Center
4020 Del Mar Dr SW,
Wyoming, MI 49418
(616) 730-8332
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