Fernando Ovalle Jr., MD

Hello and thank you for your question! Skin irregularities can happen after liposuction. There are some that get better and some that don't. At 4 months post op, you are in the chronic phase of healing (meaning all of the acute inflammation, swelling, etc has gone down, but there are still slower changes happening as the tissue mature). Sometimes, areas of "induration" or lumps/bumps under the skin can be apparent during this time. These are commonly the "self-defense" mechanism of the fat cells remaining and their response to the inflammatory processes during the post op healing. These areas can commonly get better with time, massage and gentle warm compresses. Sometimes, skin irregularities happen because fat cells too close to the surface of the skin were removed. These sometimes get better on their own with time as tissues fully settle, and this can take 6-9+ months. Typically if sometime has not gotten better after this time frame, this could be permanent. My best advice is to follow up with your surgeon of record and get their specific recommendations. Thanks again!

Hello and thank you for your question! There unfortunately is no true straight forward answer. Breast tissue is typically slightly denser than saline or silicone, and this can be anywhere from 5-10%+ difference. From a pure math standpoint, my educated guess is that a slightly smaller implant than 400cc (i.e. 360-380cc) will likely look "about right". However, an implant in the 400-425cc may also look great on your frame. It would be very difficult to tell you that a given implant would "make you look like nothing ever happened." This is because this is highly dependent on multiple variables such as: the quality of your skin envelope, post-reduction scar positioning, implant type (silicone vs saline), implant profile (moderate vs high), how your chest wall accommodates volume now. Implants project can differently than natural tissue. Even if volume is similar, shape, cleavage, and feel can vary. Natural breasts often had more lower pole fullness and ptosis (sag), while implants tend to sit fuller up top unless combined with a lift or fat grafting. The next best step is to have an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can: Review your operative records, evaluate your current breast footprint, use either 3D imaging or sizers to help predict how certain size implants would look on your body. Good luck on your journey!

Hello and thank you for your question. Currently there is no medically accepted labwork to ascertain that "all of the silicone has been removed." During the explantation, the surgeon typically visually inspects the breast pocket and repeatedly cleans the tissues with sterile saline/antibiotic irrigation. IV antibiotics are typically given prior to the start of surgery, and sometimes after surgery. The majority of patient heal without any issues, but, as with any surgery, there are still risks, such as bleeding, infection, wound healing problems, and collections of fluid. Surgeons work to minimize these risks as much as possible. I encourage you to have an in-person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your particular history and anatomy details and further answer your questions and concerns!

Hello and thank you for your question. It is hard to say for certainty without photos, but if the bulge is on your "side boob" area near your armpit, liposuction can commonly help contour these areas. My best advice is to have an in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with an in person exam to devise a plan to improve your concerns! Thank you and good luck on your journey.

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photos, you appear to have extra/loose skin above and below the belly button, along with some degree of muscle separation (diastasis). A tummy tuck would certainly offer you a transformation. Every surgeon has a different technique and set of criteria they evaluate in making their surgical decision. In my hands, a patient with loose skin above and below the belly button, with diastasis and with a high riding belly button is likely a good candidate for a full tummy tuck (incision from hip to hip) with muscle tightening, and I counsel them that there may be a small vertical incision at top midline of the horizontal incision, due to the native belly button being high and our goal of removing all of the skin between the belly button and the pubic incision. Your next best step is to seek another opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon with an in person examination. You need to be comfortable with the surgeon and the plan. Thank you and good luck on your journey!