7 months post-op tummy tuck and I have a bulge on upper abdomen - will liposuction make it go down? (photo)

Question

I am 7 mo po TT and MR. My upper as bulge like this at night. Will lipo make it go down?

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Hello!
It is unclear from this photo what the fullness is. If there was no muscle repair with the tummy tuck, this could be loose muscle. Or it could be fat that is under the muscle. Or it could be fat over the muscle which would support performing liposuction. You will need to have an in person exam to determine the nature of the fullness in order to properly address it. Lipo will treat fat over the muscle and under the skin, and can provide nice sculpting, even etching, to look really toned and athletic. Lax muscle would require muscle tightening, and deep fat under the muscle essentially requires weight loss and diet.
Best of luck to you! Happy New Year!

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. We will need a front picture to have a better opinion, but based on this picture you appears to be a good candidate for belly liposuction. I would suggest to be treated by board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.

Respectfully,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Respectfully,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Irena Karanetz, MD · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for the question and photo.
The upper bulge may be related to swelling after surgery and/or persistent fat excess. Sometimes liposuction can help improve the contour of the upper abdomen.
I would also wait at least a full year from your original surgery prior to undergoing revision surgery because the wound healing takes up to 1 year to be completed.
I would definitely discuss your questions and concerns with your Plastic Surgeon.
I hope this helps.Best regards, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzBreast Fellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear babycoconut249,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hampton A. Howell, MD · Answer

Hi.  It is really difficult to tell for something like that by pictures alone and certainly from the fairly limited picture provided.  I would recommend discussing this with the surgeon that did your operation and express your concerns.  Based on what your anatomy was beforehand, as well as what was done surgically, as well as the physical exam now, your surgeon should be able to give you good recommendations.  You can always get a second opinion in person if needed.  
Good luck and take care, 
Dr. Howell

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

The bulge may be coming from either excess remaining tissue which is fat or inadequate plication of your muscles. A physical examination can be done or ultrasound to determine how much fat is still there. If it is fat then liposuction will take care of it. If it bulges from fascial defect then you will need surgical repair.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Swelling post-lipo can persist for months, so it's important to be on the right after care protocols. I recommend following up with your physician about their suggested after care protocol. I have my patients wear compression for 3 to 6 weeks straight then overnight for 3-6 months after their procedure. I suggest adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression to help decrease swelling. To improve your final results, I also recommend adding Vanquish for further fat removal; truSculpt iD, Exilis, Forma, and Venus Legacy for additional skin tightening; and Cellutone / ZWave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance.

It will take 6 to 12 months to see the final outcome. Ultimately, if you are unhappy with your results, please speak to your physician and ensure that he/she was a full body VASER Hi-Definition liposuction physician with extensive experience in contouring and body shaping -- and not just traditional fat reduction. You can always get a revision procedure by an expert if needed. Best, Dr. Emer

It will take 6 to 12 months to see the final outcome. Ultimately, if you are unhappy with your results, please speak to your physician and ensure that he/she was a full body VASER Hi-Definition liposuction physician with extensive experience in contouring and body shaping -- and not just traditional fat reduction. ​You can always get a revision procedure by an expert if needed. Best, Dr. Emer

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It is impossible to give you meaningful opinion without in person evaluation. Reasons for upper abdominal bulge are many; lordosis, intra-abdominal fat pushing abdominal wall, residual fat deposits over the muscles, muscle weakness, hernia, diastasis. Only on the basis of in person evaluation, a board certified plastic surgeon could establish right diagnosis and suggest how to treat this deformity. Good luck.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photo and question.  I encourage you to return to your surgeon for an evaluation of your concerns.  Your photo suggests that the area that concerns you may be from visceral fat, which is the fat around your organs.  This is not treatable with liposuction, but rather is addressed with diet and exercise.  Your surgeon will be able to advise you after an examination.

Kevin Tehrani, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and posting an appropriate picture. It depends on whether or not the bulge is because of fat or muscle separation. It’s best to be seen and examined in person. If it is just fat of course liposuction can address this, however, if it is muscle you would need plication and tightening which is a revision abdominoplasty.

7 months post-op tummy tuck and I have a bulge on upper abdomen - will liposuction make it go down? (photo)

Answers (12)

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