Liposuction Q&A

71%

WORTH IT RATING

493 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Liposuction Cost: $5,150

Learn about Liposuction

2,766 people and 781 doctors are talking about Liposuction

Get Free Email Updates

Can You Have Abdominal Liposuction After Tummy Tuck?

asked 1 year ago by Brooklyn1379 in Brooklyn, NY
Latest answer by Jason R. Hess, MD
Question viewed 625 times
Tags: abdomen, combination

I had a full abdominoplasty 4 years ago but was left with a very full upper abdomen. Below my navel is flat but above looks pregnant. The surgeon subsequently put mesh in the upper ab, but no change in shape (he says my muscle is too weak). I haven't gained any weight since the 1st operation. I still have fat in the upper abdomen and think my shape would improve with lipo. Would the prior operations make it more difficult to do lipo in the upper abdomen due to internal scarring?

13 answers to Can You Have Abdominal Liposuction After Tummy Tuck?

Many patients still need liposuction after abdominoplasty.

It is not uncommon to still need liposuction on the upper abdomen after tummy tucks. It can be done under local tumescent technique and makes such an improvement in most cases. sincerely, David Hansen,MD

David Hansen, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

Liposuction after tummy tuck

Tough question ot answer without an exam. Why did you have mesh placed in the upper abdomen? Did you have an actual hernia? If so, I would want to check that the hernia did not recur at a minimum.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction after an abdominoplasty

Your tummy tuck was not a standard operation and as liposuction may be successful for you, I would advise you first consult with your surgeon who did the abdominoplasty to evaluate your candidacy for liposuction. It can be done safely as the fat layer is above the mesh, but if there are hernias then there is an increased risk of the procedure.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Abdominal Liposuction After Tummy Tuck

From your excellent posting description I would first obtain a scan of the upper abdomen to see if the "fullness" is a layer of subcutaneous fat (and how thick this layer is) or is it the intestinal/internal organs and fat pushing outward. If it is the latter than no liposuction is indicated. The former can be treated with many differing types of liposuctions. You posted your surgeon stated you have very weak abdominal muscles, so PLEASE obtain a scan.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction after Tummy tuck for upper belly bulge

It may not be unusual to have to do a second operation to eliminate fat from the upper abdomen. In fact, it is often preferable to do it this way because combining liposuciton to the upper abdomnen with a tummy tuck may result in a higher risk of wound healing problems. My primary concern with your unique situation is the presence of the mesh. This potentially creates a with a more complicated picture.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction can be helpful after a tummy tuck

In the best of situations liposuction can be used in the flank and hip as needed to contour at the time of a tummy tuck, and further weight loss after tummy tuck is not uncommon. If after four years you still have fat localized in the upper abdomen liposuction may be the answer. Your surgeon should make sure that the bulge is not due to weakness in the abdominal wall and is indeed a fat deposit. The mesh repair in this area is a worry however. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction after tummy tuck

Theoretically, you can have liposuction. What needs to be determined, however, is the cause of your fullness. Is it fat that you can pinch with your skin? If so, liposuction will help. If the skin is then, this probably will not help and the underlying looseness needs to be addressed.

David A. Lickstein, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction after tummy tuck

You can certainly have liposuction after a tummy tuck. The question is will it help? If the bulge is due to loose fascia, it will not help and may actually worsen your problem by causing loose, uneven or wrinkled skin. The fact that you had a mesh repair and your doctor does not think the area can be improved may indicate this is the case. A tummy tuck does not always create a flat abdomen. If the bulge is due to fat and your skin is of sufficiently good quality,... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction after abdominoplasty

We don't have a picture to review- but in general, upper abdominal contour is dictated by repair of abdominal fascial laxity- it sounds like this has been addressed, perhaps not very successfully. If you and your surgeon can pinch a substantial amount of upper abdominal fat, then its certainly reasonable to do liposuction after abdominoplasty. I personally would feel more comfortable doing this after obtaining an abdominal ultrasound to assess for hernias and get a objective measurement... more

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Fat following a tummy tuck

If there is residual fat in any place following abdominoplasty, it will be in the upper abdomen. This region must be only conservatively lipsuctioned during your initial procedure, or not at all. It is critical to maintain the blood supply here to facilitate healing. Liposcutioning of this region as a secondary procedure is easily and routinely performed.

Jason R. Hess, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction of abdomen helps if fat is between skin and muscle.

Hi. Liposuction will probably help your upper abdomen, but you need to be examined to be sure what is causing the bulging. see video

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

A good physical exam is needed.

Depending on the physical exam you may or may not benefit from liposuction. If there is a thick layer of fat and the skin is relatively tight then liposuction is the way to treat it. Depending on the laxity of the skin you may need one of the new techniques to help tighten the skin. If there is a great deal of redundant skin a repeat abdominoplasty may be needed . You need to be evaluated by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon , the first one you should consult with if your prior... more

Walter D. Gracia, MD
Arlington Plastic Surgeon

You can have lipo after tummy tuck

The foundation of the abdomen is the muscular layer and this must be corrected to yield the optimal contour. Your surgeon has addressed this with the previous operation and so the upper abdominal fullness may be superficial fat which responds very nicely to liposuction. On occasion woman will store fat inside the abdominal cavity which causes the abdomen to protrude. Fat inside the abdominal cavity will not be addressed by liposuction. Correction of this will require weight loss. I... more