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What To Do About Fat Necrosis Post Abdominoplasty?

asked 11 months ago by Kyllie
Latest answer by Peter A. Aldea, MD
Question viewed 429 times
Tags: fat, necrosis, options

The ‘liquefied fat’ that I have in my belly sounds like fat necrosis. I read that necrosis to the fat cells cause fat to be liquefied before hardening. My question – wouldn’t it be better to remove the fat now before it hardens? Abdominoplasty should result in a flatter belly. I am afraid that allowing the fat to stay and harden will permanently stretch my skin and would leave me with a bigger lower belly than before surgery. I am 3 wks post full TT, normal wt, nonsmoker.

4 answers to What To Do About Fat Necrosis Post Abdominoplasty?

+1

Fluid Collection VS. Fat Necrosis After Abdominoplasty?

RE; " The ‘liquefied fat’ that I have in my belly sounds like fat necrosis. I read that necrosis to the fat cells cause fat to be liquefied before hardening. My question – wouldn’t it be better to remove the fat now before it hardens? Abdominoplasty should result in a flatter belly. I am afraid that allowing the fat to stay and harden will permanently stretch my skin and would leave me with a bigger lower belly than before surgery. I am 3 wks post full TT, normal... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Post abdominoplasty and fat necrosis vs seroma

Kyllie, if you are just 3 weeks post abdominoplasty the fluid you are noting is probably a seroma (fluid collection) and is not necessarily associated with fat necrosis. If the seroma is relatively small it can be treated conservatively by limiting you fluid and salt intake and wearing a post surgical compression garment. Your surgeon may also want to consider giving you an diuretic medicine to help you loss the excess fluid. If it is a larger collection of fluid, your... more
Vincent D. Lepore, MD

San Jose Plastic Surgeon

www.vincentleporemd.com

+1

Fat Necrosis after Tummy Tuck

Dear Kyllie, Fat necrosis does not generally become evident within weeks of surgery. Your swelling is more likely general postoperative edema, fluid collection and/or scar tissue. I would suggest that you see your plastic surgeon for follow and discuss your questions as well as getting his input after examining you. Your body will need time to heal and recover. This is a process that takes time and generally you will see improvement over 2-3 months. It is important that your surgeon make... more
Behzad Parva, MD

Washington DC Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fat necrosis s/p tummy tuck

My first question is what makes you think you have liquefied fat present? If you have a fluid collection after a tummy tuck it is most commonly a seroma, which is not the same thing as liquefied fat. Seromas can be drained with simple needle aspiration. Fat is thicker than seroma fluid and not simply withdrawn through a small needle. Firmness just along the incision itself is usually the scar undergoing a normal healing process. You are correct that an abdominoplasty should result in a... more
Anita Patel, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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