The Drain-Free Tummy Tuck Technique

If the thought of post-surgical drains has held you back from a tummy tuck, you’ll be happy to hear that there’s now a drain-free tummy tuck technique available. This procedure called the C.L.A.S.S. Tummy Tuck™, is exclusively offered by Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Francesco Campanile, and combines abdominoplasty and liposuction in a revolutionary way that doesn’t require drains during recovery.

What Are Surgical Drains?

Surgical drains are used in many kinds of surgery to remove the accumulation of excess fluid. They are particularly common for abdominal surgery, including cosmetic procedures like tummy tucks. After an abdominoplasty, fluid builds up in areas where soft tissue was removed. This buildup, called a seroma, causes bloating in the abdominal area as it collects. The fluid collection also runs the risk of becoming infected, which could cause complications and scarring. Although the seroma will eventually be reabsorbed by the body, most surgeons prefer to err on the side of patient safety by utilizing surgical drains to remove the seroma manually. This helps prevent any potential complications from fluid buildup in the first place.

While surgical drains definitely can be beneficial, they’re also inconvenient and unsightly. Patients must periodically empty their surgical drains and may need to keep track of how much fluid has been drained every day. They will have to return to their surgeon to have the drains removed once the fluid buildup has stopped. The healing process is often more frustrating when surgical drains are involved; patients have to wait longer to return to their normal routines.

The C.L.A.S.S. Tummy Tuck Difference

The C.L.A.S.S. tummy tuck (Combined Lipo-Abdominoplasty Sculpting & Shaping) technique can eliminate the need for surgical drains. By making changes during the surgery to prevent fluid buildup in the first place, patients can enjoy a drain-free recovery.* Additionally, incorporating these technical changes allows for liposuction to be included as part of the tummy tuck, something that’s not usually performed during a traditional abdominoplasty. Dr. Campanile’s combination of Brazilian, Italian, and American surgical techniques is augmented with a few of his additional refinements.

Several years ago, the use of liposuction during a tummy tuck was disfavored due to concerns about potentially damaging the vital blood supply to the overlying skin and tissue. Without sufficient postoperative blood flow to the area, there’s an increased risk of scarring and even tissue loss. Although an abdominoplasty without liposuction still removes excess skin and fat and delivers dramatic results, the final contours lack the fine-tuned sculpting that liposuction can provide.

Dr. Campanile studied the work of Brazilian plastic surgeons who devised a way to maintain an uncompromised blood supply while incorporating lipo during a tummy tuck. By adopting these techniques into his practice, Dr. Campanile can deliver a much more pleasing final contour for his patients, without surgical drains.*

Additionally, the C.L.A.S.S. tummy tuck technique has a shorter recovery time than is typically associated with traditional abdominoplasty, due to the superior blood supply preservation during surgery.* Dr. Campanile adds special internal sutures during the surgery to ensure that no surgical drains are needed after the procedure. These sutures also relieve skin tension around the incision, which also promotes improved healing.* All of these factors add up to a higher level of patient satisfaction, both during recovery and when enjoying final results.*

*This information is for education only and is not meant as a guarantee of results. Your results may vary.