Question 1

What is a drainless tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

A drainless tummy tuck is an advanced abdominoplasty technique that eliminates the need for surgical drains by using progressive tension sutures and tissue-preserving techniques to control fluid and close the space where fluid would normally collect.
Dr. Cabbabe developed his drainless tummy tuck technique with a focus on lymphatic preservation, which helps reduce fluid collections, swelling, and complications. He has published on this technique with some of the lowest complication rates ever reported in the abdominoplasty literature, lectures internationally on drainless and lymphatic-preserving body contouring surgery, teaches other surgeons from around the world his techniques, and has refined these techniques over many years through extensive surgical experience and high surgical volume.
One of the major advantages of this technique is that it allows for more aggressive and more effective liposuction and contouring to be performed safely, which significantly improves the overall aesthetic result while maintaining a low complication rate.

Question 2

Who is a candidate for a drainless tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

Ideal candidates have loose abdominal skin, muscle separation, and are at a stable weight. Candidates should be in good general health and close to their goal weight.
For our practice, patients should have a BMI under 33. Patients with a BMI between 25 and 28 often have the best cosmetic results, as this allows for better contouring and safer surgery.
Each patient is evaluated individually, and during consultation we will determine whether a standard tummy tuck, 360 tummy tuck, lower body lift, or Fleur-de-Lis tummy tuck would produce the best result.

Question 3

Is a drainless tummy tuck just a tummy tuck without drains?

Accepted Answer

No. A drainless tummy tuck is not simply removing the drains from a standard tummy tuck. If a traditional tummy tuck is performed and drains are not used, the procedure can actually become very high risk because fluid has nowhere to go and can accumulate under the skin.
A true drainless tummy tuck requires progressive tension sutures, tissue management, and lymphatic preservation to eliminate the space where fluid would normally collect. Not all drainless tummy tuck techniques are the same, and complication rates depend on surgical technique and surgeon experience.

Question 4

Are complication rates lower with a drainless tummy tuck compared to a traditional tummy tuck with drains?

Accepted Answer

Published research on Dr. Cabbabe’s drainless, lymphatic-preserving tummy tuck technique has demonstrated some of the lowest complication rates ever reported in the abdominoplasty literature. As Dr. Cabbabe refined and advanced his techniques over time through extensive experience, his complication rates continued to decrease.

Question 5

Why don’t all surgeons perform drainless tummy tucks?

Accepted Answer

A drainless tummy tuck is a more technically demanding operation and requires significant experience and high surgical volume to perform safely and consistently. Many of these techniques are not commonly taught in traditional training programs and are developed through specialization and experience in cosmetic body contouring surgery.

Question 6

Should my tummy tuck be performed awake or under general anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

We do not recommend that tummy tuck surgery or major body contouring procedures be performed awake. Awake procedures use conscious sedation, which involves giving pain medication and medication for anxiety. These medications can suppress breathing, and if an anesthesiologist is not present, this can become dangerous.
For major procedures such as tummy tuck, 360 liposuction, lower body lift, or combined procedures, safety is our number one priority. We do not believe in trying to reduce cost by compromising safety. Having an anesthesia provider present allows the procedure to be performed safely and allows the surgeon to focus completely on performing the procedure.
General anesthesia allows the procedure to be performed more safely, more comfortably for the patient, and with better technical execution and better overall results.

Question 7

Why does Dr. Cabbabe perform so many revision tummy tucks and why is choosing the right procedure so important?

Accepted Answer

One of the most important parts of body contouring surgery is not just the technical execution of the operation, but choosing the correct procedure or combination of procedures in the first place.
Many revision tummy tuck patients come to our practice for several reasons. In some cases, the original surgery may have been performed poorly from a technical standpoint, and in other cases the wrong procedure was performed or important components of body contouring were not addressed during the original surgery. Some patients also present after complications such as infection or poor healing.
Common reasons patients need revision include:

A standard tummy tuck when a 360 tummy tuck or lower body lift was needed
A standard tummy tuck when a Fleur-de-Lis was needed
Not enough liposuction performed
No waist shaping performed
No pubic lift performed
Poor belly button shape
Scars placed too high or uneven scars
Poor waist-to-hip ratio
Lack of fat transfer to improve hip and buttock proportions
Infection or wound healing problems
Poor overall contour due to inadequate contouring or planning

A tummy tuck is not just about removing skin — it is about shaping the entire midsection and body proportions, including the waist, upper abdomen, pubic area, belly button, hips, and buttocks.
One of the major benefits of Dr. Cabbabe’s practice is not only the technical execution of surgery, but the decision-making process, measurements, and procedure selection that determine which operation will produce the best overall result.

Question 8

How do I know if I need a lower body lift or 360 tummy tuck instead of a standard tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

A standard tummy tuck treats the front of the abdomen. A 360 tummy tuck or lower body lift treats the abdomen, waist, flanks, lower back, buttocks, and upper thighs.
In general, almost every patient will have their best result with 360 liposuction because shaping the waist and flanks is one of the most important parts of body contouring. During consultation, Dr. Cabbabe will explain how much improvement you would get with each additional procedure and help you decide how worthwhile each additional procedure would be based on your anatomy, goals, recovery, and cost.

Question 9

How do I know if I need a Fleur-de-Lis tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

A Fleur-de-Lis tummy tuck is used for patients who have significant excess skin both vertically and horizontally that cannot be corrected with a standard tummy tuck alone. Dr. Cabbabe uses objective measurements during consultation to determine whether a Fleur-de-Lis is recommended.

Question 10

Is liposuction and fat transfer performed with a tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Liposuction is a critical part of most tummy tuck procedures because removing skin alone does not shape the waist or improve body proportions. High-definition liposuction is used to shape the waist, upper abdomen, and flanks.
It is important for patients to understand that complete hip and buttock shaping comes from 360 liposuction, not from a tummy tuck alone. A tummy tuck primarily improves the front of the abdomen. Without liposuction of the flanks and lower back, there will be minimal improvement in hip and buttock shape with a tummy tuck alone.
Whether fat transfer is performed depends on how much fat is available and whether 360 liposuction is being performed. If enough fat is available, fat transfer may be performed to the hips and buttocks to improve overall body proportions and waist-to-hip ratio.
If 360 liposuction is not being performed, most patients who have fat transfer are having fat transferred to the hip dips to improve contour, rather than a more formal buttock reshaping procedure such as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).
If larger volume fat transfer and more significant buttock shaping is desired, then a BBL with 360 liposuction is usually recommended in order to safely obtain enough fat and create balanced body proportions.

Question 11

Do I need to stay overnight after a tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

Most healthy patients do not need to stay overnight after a tummy tuck and can go home the same day with a responsible adult. Some patients choose to stay overnight, especially if they are having multiple procedures performed, 360 liposuction, or a lower body lift.

Question 12

What happens if I have a complication after surgery? Is there insurance coverage?

Accepted Answer

For the vast majority of our patients, we purchase cosmetic surgery insurance on your behalf prior to surgery. Please confirm this with our office before scheduling your procedure so you understand exactly what is covered. This insurance typically covers complications within the first 30 days after surgery, including hospital care if needed.

Question 13

What procedures are included in a drainless tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

A drainless tummy tuck may include muscle repair, high-definition liposuction, pubic lift, belly button reshaping, low scar placement, waist contouring, and fat transfer when appropriate.

Question 14

What if I have a hernia?

Accepted Answer

Patients with hernias should be evaluated before hernia repair because sometimes hernia repair should be coordinated with tummy tuck surgery.

Question 15

How do I know if I need mesh?

Accepted Answer

Mesh may be recommended depending on muscle strength and anatomy.

Question 16

What is recovery like?

Accepted Answer

Most patients return to work in 2–3 weeks, take pain medication for about 3–4 days, and resume exercise around 3 weeks.

Question 17

Do I need compression?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide a starter garment but most patients benefit from additional garments and recovery supplies.

Question 18

How do scars heal and can scars be revised?

Accepted Answer

Every patient heals differently. We use specific surgical techniques and a scar management protocol to help scars heal as well as possible. If patients develop hypertrophic or keloid scars, scars can often be improved with treatments such as injections, laser, or scar revision surgery, sometimes combined with radiation therapy in select patients. Scars can almost always be improved later if needed.

Question 19

Where is the scar placed?

Accepted Answer

The scar is placed low so it can be hidden under underwear or a swimsuit.

Question 20

How long do tummy tuck results last?

Accepted Answer

Results are long-lasting if weight remains stable

Drainless Tummy Tuck