Liposuction Q&A
71%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
494 Reviews
Liposuctionbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Liposuction Cost: $5,150

Learn about Liposuction

2,768 people and 782 doctors are talking about Liposuction

Get Free Email Updates

Will Lipo Fix my Large Protuding Buddha Belly?

asked 3 years ago by Mikah in San Antonio, TX
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 892 times
Tags: belly, fat, pooch

I went for a breast aug consult and have also decided and set a date for lipo. I am concerned though, because my belly is somewhat distended (and the physician never really touched my stomach to see if it is hard or soft ect)that lipo may not removed this bloated appearing fat (but i am not bloated.. I have had a belly that makes me look about 6 mos along for about a year now/im 24 yrs old) I am 5'1 and under 120 lbs in realtivley good shape except for my odd stomach. will lipo fix this fat? thanks

4 answers to Will Lipo Fix my Large Protuding Buddha Belly?

+2

Reasons for a full tummy

You should go back and request a specific exam of your abdomen to evaluate whether lipo is going to help you. Basically, if you have subcutaneous fat with good skin elasticity and good muscle tone you can have liposuction and get a nice change. If your abdomen is firm and there is no significant subcutaneous fat, then there is fat or pressure within the abdominal cavity pushing it out. This is NOT amenable to liposuction. If your tummy is round because of loose muscles, lipo won't help... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lipo vs. tummy tuck

You have to be examined to determine if your shape is related to a weak stomach muscle envelope called fascia, which could allow the wall to bow forward, vs. an accumulation of fat. If it is fat, determine if it is below the muscle or above the muscle wall. Only the latter situation is responsive to liposuction. A muscle weakness needs to be addressed by a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Buddha belly treatment

Liposuction only treats that fat that can be pinched on the outside of your abdomen. It does not treat the deep layer, the fascia, that is often stretched out from childbirth. Liposuction also does not treat hanging skin or loose skin. During your examination, your doctor should palpate where the fat was and where the fascia- the deep layer- was, and what the limitations of liposuction are, what the alternatives are (including tummy tuck), the risks of surgery, etc. That is part of a basic... more
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Not likely if what you mean is a large protruding abdomen

The most likely cause of a large protruding abdomen like Buddha is intra abdominal fat deposition. This excess abdominal fat is sometimes called a beer belly especially in men who seem to put much of their extra fat inside the abdomen and not on the hip, thighs etc. The intra abdominal fat is not able to be removed by liposuction. Only fat on the out side of the abdomen can be addressed by liposuction. If the buddha belly gets bigger when you push out your abdominal muscles and smaller... more
Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD

Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question