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Liposuction for Upper Abs After Tummy Tuck?

asked 3 years ago by tamipooh in matteson il
Latest answer by Joseph M. Perlman, MD
Question viewed 4,305 times
Tags: abdomen, belly, fat reduction

I had a full tummy tuck on 3-16-09. While my lower abdomen looks amazing compared to the way it use to look, I am not completely satified with my upper abdomen.

I am going to try to reduce the fat in this area with diet and exercise. In the event that this doesn't work, how long should I wait to have this area liposuctioned?

11 answers to Liposuction for Upper Abs After Tummy Tuck?

Two separate issues...

Hi there- I think there are really two questions here... the first is why this upper abdominal bulge is present in the first place. It may be that you are correct in your assumption that this is fatty tissue, and if this is the case, liposuction should successfully put the finishing touches on the result for you. It is important to know that this is, in fact what is causing the appearance you are noticing, though, because the other possibility is that you have a different problem that would requ more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

This depends on how the upper abdomen was treated

Speak with your physician to find out if he already did some liposuction in this area and if the problem is really more laxity of the skin than it is residual fat deposition (lipodystrophy). Having laxity of the skin in the upper portion of the abdomen after a tummy tuck is not unusual since most the pull is on the lower half of the abdomen. In some instances ,the laxity of the upper skin can be treated at the same time as the tummy tuck or at a later time through an incision in the... more

Joseph M. Perlman, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

I am afraid diet and exercise won't help.

Hi! In New York City, we do liposuction of the upper abdomen at the same time as the tummy tuck. This is safe because we use a minimal undermining abdominoplasty technique, which preserves the blood supply. But it is OK to do it in two stages. I don't think diet and exercise will work, because this is localized fat. Wait 4 or 5 months after your tummy tuck to do the liposuction.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Wait 6 months

Some plastic surgeons do liposuctiong of that area at the same time as the tummy tuck, it works out great. You need to know what your surgeon did. Was this a full tummy tuck, a mini, was there any liposuctioning done. You should wait at least 6 months before proceeding to additional liposuctioning.

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

You must speak to YOUR plastic surgeon.

We have not seen you, we have not operated on you - we are only guessing --- Your surgeon did the surgery and should be able to evaluate why you have an upper abdominal bulge, leave it up to him to assess you and tell you what can be done and when to do it.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

4-6 months would be reasonable

After 4-6 months you will be totally healed with no swelling left. At that point, if you are still displeased, go ahead and discuss liposuction with your doctor.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

The bigger question is...

Why doesn't your upper abdomen look as good as your lower abdomen? Why would you have to do a second abdominal procedure go get a good looking abdomen after abdominoplasty? See my links. sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Wait 3 months for upper abdominal liposuction

Most traditional techniques for abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) tighten the muscular layer over the muscles in the upper and lower abdomen (we call this plication) as well as remove the lower loose skin (below the belly button) from the abdomen. Often, some liposuction is performed on the flanks and hips, but there are safety reasons as to why too much liposuction done in the upper abdomen can possibly affect the blood supply of the skin, for this reason many surgeons don't do a lot of thinning... more

James F. Boynton, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.BoyntonPlasticSurgery.com

Six months

Hello, I would wait about 6 months after a tummy tuck before going back to the upper abdomen for liposuction. You want the tummy tuck to be fully healed, you want all swelling to be gone, and you want to give yourself a chance to reduce it through diet and exercise. If that fails, then by all means, go back for upper abdominal liposuction.

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

Wait 3-4 months and then consider laser assisted liposuction

Diet and exercise will help a great deal. If after 3-4 months of your new regime you are still unhappy consider laser assisted liposuction. Standard liposuction will remove unwanted fat, but no skin tightening. Compared to the firmness of your new lower abdomen, you may be disappointed after lipo alone. The new laser assisted liposuction provides the additional benefit of skin tightening which will be important following your tummy tuck. See before and after photos of Slim Lipo and Mini... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

Upper Abdomen Lipo

I would weight about 4-6 months for the swelling to completely resolve before having any lipo performed. You obviously would also want all the incisions to have completely healed as well before performing the liposuction. Good luck.