Drains vs. Drainless Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): What actually delivers the safest, smoothest recovery? In this episode, Atlanta board-certified plastic surgeon Earl Stephenson, MD, DDS, MBA explains the real differences between traditional drains and “drainless” techniques (progressive tension/quilting sutures), who’s a good candidate for each, and how we personalize the plan for your anatomy and goals—so healing is predictable and results are refined

• Why fluid (seroma) forms after a tummy tuck and why managing the “dead space” matters.

• How drains work (soft silicone tubes attached to bulbs) and when they’re helpful.

• What “drainless” really means: progressive tension/quilting sutures that tack the flap down to reduce fluid pockets.

• The hybrid option (PTS + a short-term drain) for belt-and-suspenders safety.

• Drains: reliable fluid evacuation in higher-risk cases (higher BMI, wide undermining, massive weight loss); objective output tracking; nuisance factor is real. Typical removal ~7–14 days when outputs drop; many surgeons allow showering 48–72 hours post-op.

• Drainless (PTS/quilting): fewer daily hassles, often more comfortable week 1; meticulous suturing adds time but reduces dead space; still requires disciplined compression and activity control.

• Leaning drainless: non-smoker, stable BMI, limited undermining, straightforward muscle repair, highly compliant with compression and follow-ups.

• Leaning drains or hybrid: massive weight loss, higher BMI, extensive undermining/revision, combined procedures (longer OR time) or bleeding risks.

• Drains plan: measure outputs, walk day 1, shower ~48–72 hrs if cleared, remove when outputs consistently low (e.g., around 20 cc/day by your criteria).

• Drainless plan: same milestones minus drain care; compression is non-negotiable; nutrition (adequate protein) and hydration accelerate comfort.

• “Drainless heals faster.” → It often feels easier, but healing is biology + behavior (compliance).

• “All drainless is the same.” → Technique and anatomy matter; approaches vary by surgeon.

• “Using a drain = bad surgeon.” → Drains are a tool in a customized plan.

1. What’s your strategy to prevent seromas (drains, PTS/quilting, adhesives)?

2. What are my risk factors?

3. How does recovery differ for me with vs. without drains?

4. If a seroma occurs, how will you manage it?

00:00 Cold Open • 00:25 Intro • 00:55 Tuck Basics • 03:00 Drains 101 • 06:00 Drainless Explained • 10:00 Safety & Outcomes • 12:00 Candidacy • 14:00 Recovery • 16:30 Myths • 18:00 Decision • 19:15 CTA

I tailor tummy tucks using drains, drainless (PTS/quilting), or hybrid—whatever safely delivers your best contour.

Call (770) 466-4700 to schedule an in-person or virtual consult; the $225 consult fee is applied to surgery if you proceed. Out-of-town patients welcome.

ESJ Aesthetics — Where Confidence Takes Shape.

*Disclaimer: Educational content only; not medical advice. Individual recommendations vary. Consult an ABPS-board-certified plastic surgeon.

When it comes to facelift surgery, there’s one thing you need to know: men and women are NOT the same. From the way we age to the way we heal, gender plays a huge role in how a facelift should be designed, performed, and maintained.

In this episode of Plastic Surgery T&A – Talking & Advice, Dr. Earl Stephenson, Jr.—Atlanta-based double board-certified facial plastic surgeon—breaks down the real differences in facelift strategies for men versus women. Whether you’re aiming for a powerful jawline or a delicate lift, your surgical plan should be as individual as you are.

1️⃣ Diagnosis Differences – How Men and Women Age Differently

• Women: Volume loss in cheeks and temples, thinner skin, more visible sagging

• Men: Heavier lower face, thicker skin, stronger platysma bands

• Why understanding aging patterns is step one in any facelift plan

2️⃣ Surgical Technique – It’s Not Just “Pull and Tighten”

• Incision placement for women vs. men

• How the beard line changes surgical approach

• Why men often require more attention to the neck and jawline

• Volume restoration for women vs. structural tightening for men

3️⃣ Aftercare – Healing on Your Terms

• Makeup, hair styling, and recovery camouflage for women

• Shaving, swelling patterns, and skincare guidance for men

• The importance of privacy and discretion—especially for male patients

4️⃣ The Cultural Factor – Confidence vs. Stigma

• How societal expectations shape surgical goals

• Why men tend to prefer “subtle strength” over “dramatic transformation”

• Strategies to keep results natural, authentic, and confidence-building

• Over two decades of experience in facial plastic surgery

• Dual board certification in plastic surgery and oral/maxillofacial surgery

• Customized surgical planning for diverse faces, skin types, and personal goals

• Located in Atlanta, GA, serving patients from across the Southeast and beyond

Your face deserves a custom plan—not a cookie-cutter lift. 📅 Schedule your in-person or virtual consultation at: 👉 www.ESJAesthetics.com

Instagram: @ESJAesthetics

Instagram for Men: Modern Gents

Facebook for Women: @ESJAesthetics

Facebook for Men: Modern Gents Aesthetics

TikTok: @estephensonjrmd

LinkedIn: Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA

ESJ Aesthetics — Where Confidence Takes Shape.

*Disclaimer: Educational content only; not medical advice. Individual recommendations vary. Consult an ABPS-board-certified plastic surgeon.

If medical insurance was designed to protect patients and support doctors — why are both groups increasingly fed up?

In this powerful episode of Plastic Surgery T&A (That’s Talk & Advice), board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Earl Stephenson Jr. pulls back the curtain on the modern healthcare system and explains why he — and thousands of other physicians — are leaving insurance panels behind.

▶ Watch this episode to discover:

• Why medical insurance companies are acting like modern-day gatekeepers

• The shocking truth about denials, delays, and clawbacks

• What “out-of-network” really means (and why it’s not a bad thing!)

• Pros and cons of stepping outside the insurance system — for both doctors and patients

• How patients can still access expert care with payment plans, HSAs, and third-party financing

• Why going out-of-network could lead to better outcomes and better experiences

⛔ What Insurance is Really Doing:

• Denial of medically necessary procedures (including reconstructions and trauma surgery)

• Delays in authorizations that cancel or postpone care

• Ridiculously low reimbursement rates for specialists

• Time-wasting paperwork and charting unrelated to patient care

• Medical decisions being overruled by non-physicians

💡 The Rise of Out-of-Network Doctors:

• More autonomy = better care decisions

• Streamlined workflows and less administrative burnout

• Transparent pricing models

• Direct physician-patient trust without a middleman

⚖️ Pros and Cons of Going Out-of-Network

Pros:

• Personalized care and flexible timelines

• No surprise denials or downgraded reimbursements

• Transparent pricing for surgeries and consults

• Higher quality of care from more engaged providers

Cons:

• Patients may have higher upfront costs

• Potential for fewer insurance-based referrals

• Patients need to understand reimbursement options clearly

• Out-of-network providers aren’t always unaffordable — ask about payment plans, Cherry, CareCredit, or using HSA funds

• You can submit your own insurance claims using a “superbill”

• Many top-tier revision surgeons, trauma experts, and aesthetic specialists are out-of-network by necessity

• You deserve to choose the right provider for your body — not just the one that’s on your plan

“No business — whether it’s a coffee shop or a clinic — can survive when it only gets paid 30 cents on the dollar. That’s what insurance pays. And it’s why we’re saying: No more.”

“I trained over a decade to make these decisions. Yet I can be overruled by someone who’s never held a stethoscope, let alone lifted a scalpel.”

This episode was inspired in part by the honest, viral TikTok commentaries of Dr. Potter (plastic surgeon) and Dr. Glaucomflecken (ophthalmologist), who’ve used humor and transparency to highlight how broken the system really is.

Whether it’s aesthetic surgery, breast revision, or post-burn reconstruction — Dr. Earl Stephenson Jr. offers concierge-level care with you at the center.

📍 Serving Dunwoody, Atlanta, and surrounding areas 📞 Call to schedule: 770-466-4700 🌐 Visit: https://www.esjaesthetics.com

ESJ Aesthetics — Where Confidence Takes Shape.

*Disclaimer: Educational content only; not medical advice. Individual recommendations vary. Consult an ABPS-board-certified plastic surgeon.