No-Drain Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

The No-Drain Tummy Tuck is the signature abdominoplasty technique pioneered by Dr. James M. Nachbar at Scottsdale Plastic Surgery — eliminating the need for post-operative surgical drains through progressive tension sutures. All-inclusive price of $13,000 for standard No-Drain Abdominoplasty; $19,700 for the circumferential version. Addresses excess abdominal skin and fat and repairs diastasis recti following pregnancy or weight loss. Over 30 years of experience in Scottsdale, AZ.

The No-Drain Tummy Tuck is the signature procedure at Scottsdale Plastic Surgery and reflects Dr. James M. Nachbar's longest-standing technical innovation in abdominoplasty. Since pioneering this technique in Arizona in 2008, Dr. Nachbar has refined and taught the approach, which eliminates the need for post-operative surgical drains — the plastic tubes that traditionally remain in the wound for one to two weeks after abdominoplasty to remove accumulated fluid. Drains are a major source of post-operative discomfort, activity restriction, and patient anxiety in traditional tummy tuck recovery. The No-Drain technique achieves drain elimination through a system of progressive tension sutures (PTS) — internal stitches placed between the elevated abdominal skin flap and the underlying fascia at multiple points, which eliminate the dead space where fluid would otherwise accumulate, essentially quilting the flap down so that seroma formation is mechanically prevented rather than drained away after the fact. This approach, validated in the plastic surgery literature and adopted by practices worldwide, results in reduced post-operative fluid collections, faster return to normal activity, and a simplified recovery protocol for patients. The standard No-Drain Tummy Tuck addresses excess skin and fat on the anterior abdomen, concurrently repairs diastasis recti (midline separation of the rectus abdominis muscles common after pregnancy or significant weight changes), and repositions the umbilicus to a natural anatomical position. The all-inclusive practice price is $13,000, covering surgeon's fee, anaesthesia, and facility. The Circumferential No-Drain Abdominoplasty extends the excision pattern around the back — addressing excess skin and fat of the flanks, lower back, and buttocks simultaneously — and is priced all-inclusive at $19,700. This extended version is particularly suited to patients following massive weight loss. Dr. Nachbar was also the first surgeon in Arizona to introduce 3-D breast surgery simulation in 2008 and personally manages all consultations and follow-up care at the Scottsdale clinic.