Drainless Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) in St. Louis, Missouri

Performed by Internationally Recognized Plastic Surgeon Dr. Samer Cabbabe

Patients from across the United States and internationally seek out board-certified St. Louis plastic surgeon Dr. Samer Cabbabe for his expertise in breast and body contouring to create sculpted silhouettes through the drainless tummy tuck technique developed by Dr. Cabbabe, featuring his signature belly button design, high-definition lipocontouring, and low, hidden scars.

Using his lymphatic-preserving, drainless method, Dr. Cabbabe performs tummy tucks with a 360-degree body-contouring approach, carefully evaluating the abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, and buttocks to ensure balanced, natural results. Not every patient requires full 360° liposuction — Dr. Cabbabe tailors each procedure to your anatomy and goals, and may occasionally recommend additional back or flank contouring for enhanced definition. Even on its own, his advanced technique creates a beautifully sculpted, contoured figure with smooth, natural transitions.

What Is a Drainless Tummy Tuck?

A drainless tummy tuck requires a specialized skill set that is not routinely taught and has been refined and developed by Dr. Cabbabe over the course of his career. It is far more than simply performing a standard tummy tuck and choosing not to place drains—when executed without advanced technique, complications will still occur. Unfortunately, many surgeons fail to recognize this critical aspect and therefore incorrectly ascribe the drainless approach as not recommended.

Dr. Cabbabe’s drainless technique combines lymphatic-preserving dissection with progressive-tension closure, maintaining natural drainage pathways and supporting healing while reducing the risks of seroma, infection, and wound-healing problems that occur frequently with traditional tummy tucks. Because the tissues in Dr. Cabbabe’s technique remain better perfused and supported, this approach also allows for more extensive, precise liposuction while reducing surgical trauma. The result is a safer, more refined procedure with less pain, faster recovery, and superior aesthetic outcomes compared to traditional methods.

Where Does the Fluid Go If There Are No Drains?

This is one of the most common questions patients ask. In a traditional tummy tuck, excess fluid collects under the skin and is drained externally through tubes. In Dr. Cabbabe’s lymphatic-preserving, drainless technique, that fluid is instead recirculated through the body’s natural lymphatic system and safely excreted, eliminating the need for drains altogether. This not only enhances comfort and mobility after surgery but also reduces the risk of infection, seroma, and prolonged healing associated with external drains.

Why Do Traditional Tummy Tucks Lead to Frequent Requests for Revision?

Traditional tummy tucks are typically performed as skin-only procedures without significant liposuction, pubic lift, or waist shaping, often resulting in flat or boxy contours, high scars, and residual fullness or “muffin top.” Even when liposuction is added by many surgeons, it is often poorly executed and lacks true high-definition refinement, leaving patients without the sculpted definition or natural transitions they desire.

A significant part of our practice involves revising prior tummy tucks performed by board-certified plastic surgeons from across the country. We frequently see these traditional tummy tucks for revision, improving results by lowering the scar, creating true waist definition through 360° contouring, removing residual fullness, adding fat transfer for balance and volume, performing a pubic lift for a smoother transition, and correcting dog ears or asymmetries.

Are the Complication Risks the Same?

No. When performed properly, the drainless technique has been shown to result in significantly fewer complications and less pain than traditional tummy tucks. These findings have been demonstrated in multiple peer-reviewed publications, including Dr. Cabbabe’s landmark publication on drainless body contouring. Patients experience reduced swelling, faster healing, and fewer postoperative issues, with smoother, longer-lasting results and improved overall safety.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for a Drainless Tummy Tuck?

The best candidates are individuals who desire comprehensive contouring of the abdomen and torso, not just skin removal. Ideal candidates include:

• Men and women with excess abdominal skin or stubborn fat after weight loss or pregnancy
• Patients at or near their goal weight, typically with a BMI under 33 (optimal range 25–28)
• Women seeking to restore their pre-pregnancy figure with enhanced waist and hip contour
• Nonsmokers or those willing to stop nicotine use before and after surgery
• Individuals in good general health who are committed to maintaining their results through a healthy lifestyle

What Happens During the Consultation?

During your consultation in St. Louis, Dr. Cabbabe performs a detailed evaluation of the entire torso—not just the abdomen—to design a surgical plan that enhances balance and proportion from every angle.

You’ll discuss:

• Your goals and areas of concern
• Surgical options, including high-definition liposuction, fat transfer, and muscle repair
• Whether your procedure should include 360° contouring or lower body lift elements
• Expected results, incision placement, recovery timeline, and total cost

Dr. Cabbabe’s goal is to help patients achieve an elegant, natural result that complements their body type while minimizing risk and downtime.

How Should I Prepare for Surgery?

Dr. Cabbabe emphasizes careful preoperative preparation to ensure optimal safety and healing:

• Begin iron supplementation at least three months before surgery (or consider iron infusions if anemic)
• Discontinue nicotine and blood-thinning medications well in advance
• Maintain a stable, healthy BMI and complete any required medical clearance
• Follow all preoperative instructions regarding diet, hydration, and medications

All surgeries are performed in an accredited hospital for the highest level of safety and monitoring. Patients receive general anesthesia administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist, and an overnight stay is recommended for comfort and observation.

What Happens During Surgery?

Key elements of Dr. Cabbabe’s approach include:

• High-definition lipocontouring of the abdomen, waist, and flanks
• Advanced muscle tightening to restore core strength and flatten the abdominal wall
• Optional mesh reinforcement in cases of severe muscle separation
• Routine pubic lift for a smooth, youthful transition from the abdomen to the pubic area
• Strategic, low-scar placement hidden beneath underwear or swimsuits
• Natural belly button repositioning for balanced proportions

Most umbilical or ventral hernias can be repaired at the same time as the tummy tuck. However, in certain cases—such as complex or larger hernias—Dr. Cabbabe may recommend having the hernia repaired separately before your tummy tuck for optimal safety and results.

What Is Recovery Like?

Thanks to Dr. Cabbabe’s drainless technique and refined recovery protocols, most patients return to work and light activity within three weeks.

Recovery guidelines include:

• Compression garments worn for approximately 12 weeks to control swelling and support new contours
• Lymphatic drainage massages to aid recovery and reduce swelling
• Scar management with medical-grade silicone gel or tape
• Home comfort items such as a recliner, lift chair, extra pillows, and BBL pillow (if fat transfer performed)

Patients are encouraged to begin light walking the day after surgery and gradually increase mobility as directed by Dr. Cabbabe.

What Does a Drainless Tummy Tuck Cost?

The cost of a drainless tummy tuck varies depending on the extent of contouring, anesthesia fees, hospital charges, surgeon’s fees, and additional procedures such as liposuction or fat transfer.

A personalized price quote is provided during your consultation after a comprehensive evaluation of your anatomy and goals.

Experience the Dr. Cabbabe Difference

Dr. Samer Cabbabe’s drainless tummy tuck technique represents the next generation of body contouring—safer, more refined, and tailored to each patient’s anatomy. Schedule your consultation to discover how you can achieve a sculpted, contoured, aesthetic result with one of the most advanced techniques in modern plastic surgery.