Thanks to TissuGlu® for sharing this medical advancement and the Mom It Forward Influencer Network sponsorship of mamachallenge.com. All opinions remain my own.
Extreme weight loss, yo-yo dieting, and having children can all do a number on our bodies. For most weight issues we're told that diet and exercise will solve everything—but what happens when it can't? Many women find that no amount of diet and exercise can bring skin and abdominal tissue back to its original shape...this is why so many women are interested in the tummy tuck. However, before you book the procedure, there are a few things you should know!
What You Need To Know Before a Tummy Tuck
What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a procedure involving the surgical removal of excess skin and fat to firm and smooth your stomach area. As with any major procedure, recovery from a tummy tuck isn't without its challenges.
Challenges with the Tummy Tuck Procedure
One of the largest challenges resulting from abdominoplasty is fluid accumulation. While fluid is part of the natural healing process, many patients experience an accumulation of too much fluid that can push apart the tissue layers and slow down the healing process.
How to Treat Fluid Accumulation
Traditionally this excess fluid accumulation was treated with the use of drains. Flexible, clear plastic tubes are placed under a patient's skin at the time of surgery and routed outside the body, ending in a bulb that collects fluid. Unfortunately, research has shown that 100% of patients complain about the pain and discomfort associated with drains after abdominoplasty.
Why Patients Hate Drains
Drains are patients’ #1 tummy tuck complaint. Most patients find drains to be uncomfortable and cumbersome during recovery. They can be awkward to hide under your clothes and require maintenance like emptying and measuring fluid. Drains may cause additional scarring and removal can sometimes be painful. Drains may be in place for 1-3 weeks depending on your procedural plan.
The Alternative to Having Drains
Fortunately, in 2015 the FDA approved TissuGlu®, an alternative that may allow you to have a drain-free tummy tuck experience. TissuGlu is the first surgical adhesive of its kind. Instead of removing the excess fluid accumulation through drains, it works by forming a strong bond between tissue layers, reducing spaces where fluid may collect. This allows your body to resorb fluid as part of the healing process so you can recover naturally, without drains.
This means you can get back to normal activities more quickly than if you had traditional drains. Plus, you skip all of the maintenance, sensitivity, and inconvenience that comes along with drains too! Last but not least, it also helps prevent the scarring associated with drains.Patients who use TissuGlu ended up having fewer invasive treatments for fluid management.
Get more information about TissuGlu by going to their website: www.tissuglu.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrainFreeTummyTucks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drainfreetummytucks/
Important TissuGlu® Surgical Adhesive Safety Information:
Indication
TissuGlu® Surgical Adhesive is indicated for the approximation of tissue layers where subcutaneous dead space exists between the tissue planes in abdominoplasty.
Contraindications
Do not use in patients with known or suspected allergies to urethane-based or isocyanate-containing products.
Warnings
- Do not use TissuGlu® Surgical Adhesive in patients who have had prior exposure to TissuGlu®. Immunological response associated with repeat TissuGlu® exposure has not been studied.
- The effectiveness for the treatment of patients with BMI > 28 has not been established. Higher BMI patients have a propensity for fluid accumulation and may have an increased risk of seroma formation.
- Effectiveness was not observed in weight loss patients undergoing abdominoplasty. Weight loss patients have a propensity for fluid accumulation and may have an increased risk of seroma formation and aspiration.
Benefits
TissuGlu® may reduce the need for drains after surgery. By using TissuGlu® instead of drains, you may:
- Return to normal activities more quickly
- Experience less discomfort and pain than when drains are used
- Have fewer invasive treatments for fluid management. The results showed that 73% of TissuGlu® patients had no treatments after surgery. However, some patients did require additional invasive treatments including reinsertion of drains.
Risks
Clinical studies were performed using TissuGlu®. There were no increased safety risks with the use of TissuGlu® than when drains were used. Potential complications associated with the use of the device and the tummy tuck procedures include seroma (fluid) formation. These complications may require treatments such as drain placement and/or fluid removal by needle, which may be performed in the operating room. Additional potential complications include wound healing issues, rash/redness, surgical site or incision infection, scarring, hematoma (bruise or swelling), incision separation, and immunological reaction.
Safety Information:
For full safety information please visit http://tissuglu.com, contact your doctor, or call Cohera Customer Support at 1-800-641-7458.
Disclaimer:
TissuGlu® Surgical Adhesive is currently approved for sale in the United States for the approximation of tissue layers where subcutaneous dead space exists between the tissue planes in abdominoplasty. TissuGlu® Surgical Adhesive received European CE Mark in 2011, where it is approved for large flap surgical procedures such as abdominoplasty. TissuGlu® Surgical Adhesive is not approved for sale in any other region. Any questions related to the indication for use should be directed to your Cohera Medical Account Manager or to Cohera Medical Corporate Clinical Affairs. Refer to the complete TissuGlu® Surgical Adhesive Directions for Use for prescribing and usage information.
