When and why are drains necessary after liposuction and how long are they used for?

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Question:

When and why are drains necessary after liposuction and how long are they used for?

Answer:

After liposuction alone, it is not typical to place drainage tubes. Drainage tubes are usually used after an abdominoplasty with liposuction. After such a procedure, there is a lot of excess swelling and fluid and the drains are very important to remove all of this excess fluid so that it does not accumulate under the skin. Drains after a tummy tuck with lipo usually stay in for six to seven days.

About the Author: Dr. Edwin Williams

Dr. Edwin Williams is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who founded The Williams Center in 1993. He has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and has pioneered the deep plane facelift. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. Williams earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.

Dr. Williams is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstruction surgery to the residents of the Albany Medical Center and is former Chief of the Section of Facial and Plastic Reconstruction Surgery at Albany Medical Center where he received an academic appointment of Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery.