Why are incisions left open after liposuction my doctor told me that he was going to leave the liposuction incision sites open after my procedure. why not close them with stitches? won't leaving them open cause more scarring than stitching the incisions u

Procedural : Procedural details regarding liposuction technique vary by physician. However, it is typical to close liposuction incisions with sutures or skin glue and tape. These may be nylon type sutures requiring removal or dissolving sutures under the skin.

Open incision: Since these are stab incisions some physicians leave it open to let the fluid freely drain. It should not have a difference in scarring.

Lipo incisions: The incisions are very small and heal very well without suturing. The reason to leave them open is so that the tumescent fluid (that is used to reduce bruising, more effectively remove fat, and give post of pain relief) can leak out. You don't want that fluid trapped because it can cause a seroma which is painful and needs to be drained.

Surgeon's preference: I personally do not leave them open because they ooze and they are open doors for infection. However, some surgeons thinks that the oozing will help with the post operative swelling. That is why you need to have a good discussions about all of these details prior to surgery. We all have are own preferences mostly based on our training and experience.

Plus or minus.: Personally i close my liposuction incisions with a single stitch. This allows excess fluid to drain the first 24 hours, and helps allign the margins of the incision. Many plastic surgeons do not stitch the wound as they are small and usually heal well either way. It's a personal preference.