Vaser Lipo Made Stretch Marks Worse. Will They Get Better with Time?

Question

You can see in the pics. My tummy looks like it's been tortured. It's been 3 weeks since I hadVaser liposuction. I'm very concerned about mystrech marks. I had a child really early and had some on my tummy, but not like this. They were way lighter and smoother. Will it get better?

Stanley Castor, MD · Answer

The healing process after Vaser Liposuction can take several weeks to months.  At the 3 week point, you are still swollen and there is still inflammation from the surgery.  The inflammation under the skin can temporarily make the stretch marks look worse.  It takes about 6 weeks for most of the swelling to be out.  It takes 4-6 months for the skin tightening effect after VASER to be more apparent.  The VASER heats up the collagen in the skin and allows for more skin tightening than regular liposuction.  So...in a few months the stretch marks should look better, but they will not be gone. 

	A tummy tuck or mini-tummy tuck would surgically remove a lot of your stretch marks, but its way too early to tell.

Vincent Ivers, MD · Answer

Unfortunately the Vaser Lipo procedure will not improve your stretch marks.  The problem with stretch marks is that it is the break down of connective tissue and so far medical technology just does not have any good treatments for this.  There are some treatments that may help even out the color of the skin,  but nothing to really remove them.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, thank you for providing photo! For your guidance, some irregularities may persist up to 6-8
weeks. It varies
greatly between patients. You can usually begin to see #results 2-4
months later as the swelling continues to diminish and contours become more
defined, but improvement will continue for 4–6 months as swelling and irregularities
resolve. These contours can even improve throughout the year after
surgery.  Excess skin would usually shrink back over the area of the body, but liposuction is used to reduce volume not tighten skin. It may somewhat tighten the skin a little bit but Vaser's main purpose is to remove unwanted fat. However, there are non surgical
devices such as #ThermiSmooth radiofrequency and #VelaShape3 (visit web
reference below for more information) to help tighten skin after
liposuction for patients who will benefit from this additional care. It is best to consult your plastic surgeon if you want
to add these procedures with your current aftercare, rest well and treat your
incisions well. Best of luck!
#RealSelf100

Dennis Wolf, BScHons, MBBCh, MRCSEd · Answer

Your stretch marks did not become worse, they just became more visible as the supporting tissue beneath the skin was removed.  Think of a balloon - as you let the air out the wall collapses.  This is basically what has happened.  The fat has been removed and there is now less supporting tissue underneath the skin and the stretch marks have sort of collapsed.
Your surgeon should have discussed this with you prior to the procedure as if there are stretch marks present then this is a risk factor.
There are not any successful treatments for stretchmarks besides removing the skin.

Paul F. Vanek Jr, MD · Answer

Melissa, as the swelling lessens and the skin is no longer stretched to accommodate that swelling, the stretch marks will, hopefully, go back to their previous appearance. No lipo procedure will eliminate stretch marks, as you know.

	Here at my plastic surgery practice, I recommend massage to help soften the treated area(s) and help diminish swelling. It's not too late to do this; ask your board certified plastic surgeon to advise you if there is a licensed massage therapist in your area that he or she recommends.

	To your health & beauty,

	Dr. Paul Vanek, Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon near Cleveland, OH in Mentor

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Vaser Lipo Made Stretch Marks Worse. Will They Get Better with Time?

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