How long should I wait to have a tummy tuck after liposuction? (Photo)

Question

I would like to know how long should I wait to have a tummy tuck after having had liposuction. What is a safe time lapse.

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hello, I think you will find that surgeons' recommendations vary depending on their preferences and experience.  I suggest my patients wait at least 4-6 months before having a second operation because usually by this point most of the tissue swelling has resolved and I have a better sense of the baseline shape before doing another operation.

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

I am assuming from your picture that you have not had either procedure done yet. Personally, I think you will see more benefit from having a tummy tuck or lipoabdominoplasty which combines lips of the upper abdomen with skin excision as the first procedure. This may give you all the results you want in one surgery. I don't think that you will see much difference with liposuction alone and you will definitely require two procedures if you go this route because of the loose skin that you will have after lipo.

Aisha McKnight Baron, MD · Answer

If you are having liposuction performed before a tummy tuck, I would recommend waiting at least 5-6 months to allow your tissues to heal and for swelling to completely resolve. I also recommend seeing a Board Certified Plastic surgeon to assure that your procedures are safely spaced and/or combined. Good Luck!

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is possible to have liposuction at the same time as a TT. Speak to a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Hope this helps,

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photograph.  Depending on your desired locations of liposuction, both procedures can be safely done simultaneously to avoid multiple trips to the operating room, recoveries, and time off of work.  If you do need to separate the procedures, timing would depend on the recovery of your body after liposuction.  If you are not performing liposuction in the areas involved in a tummy tuck, it may be as short as a month after surgery, but if you are considering liposuction in an area of an eventual tummy tuck, best to wait until the tissues have returned to normal, without any swelling or firmness, before proceeding with additional surgery.

Michael M. Omidi, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question. Tummy tuck and liposuction address different needs so it would help to conduct an in-person exam to give you an individualized answer. I would advise to perform a tummy tuck and liposuction together because this way you will save on downtime and have just one recovery period for both procedures. That being said, you can certainly get a tummy tuck some time after liposuction once you complete your recovery period. 
A tummy tuck offers the most effective way to correct loose skin and muscle separation in addition to eliminating excess fat. Liposuction will also remove fat, but it can't address flabby, hanging skin that typically persists after weight loss. For this reason, many patients who have experienced a massive weight loss or recent pregnancy tend to opt for a tummy tuck. This procedure can also be combined with liposuction for maximum effect.  
An in-person exam with a board certified plastic surgeon is always the best way to fully assess your needs and address your concerns. Best of luck!

John Dean, MD · Answer

Some surgeons use liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck. In your case, I don't see any advantages gained by doing those procedures in two steps, but do see several disadvantages.  If you combine the procedures you will combine the recovery, most of the risk and, I find, get a better overall result. It usually costs less as well. Liposuction is used to remove fat.  In those who have extra skin, fat, stretch marks, loose abdominal muscles and/or scars, tummy tuck is able to address each of the issues.  You have more problems than liposuction alone can address and wouldn't recommend doing liposuction as a staged procedure.

Nicholas Sieveking, MD · Answer

Following abdominal liposuction with a tummy talk is a great way to get smooth, contoured results. And that is exactly the order you want to do it in. The Liposuction first, then the tummy tuck.With that being said, you want to wait at least six months before your tummy tuck. During that time, your skin and deeper tissues will be healing. You need at least this amount of time to see how much laxity your skin will have after things have settled from the Liposuction procedure. 8 to 12 months is ideal. There may even be some uneven fat pockets that can be further refined during the tummy tuck.

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Generally we recommend to wait 4-6 Months after lipo for the skin to shrink.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

Your only fat is in lower abdomen. That fat is cut away along with skin at time of tummy tuck.  Why waste time sucking away what is going to removed at time of tummy tuck anyway.Just have your tummy tuck

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