Asymmetrical Hips After Lipo/TT? (photo)

Question

I had a TT with lipo to hips/love handles 5 and a half weeks ago. I had a large seroma on my left lower abdomen drained week 3 and 4. I wear my compression binder 24/7. I understand I am going to have swelling and I've chalked up my small pouch above my incision as swelling but my hips seem to be very uneven. My right hip seems much larger and rounder. Could this be swelling as well? I understand some asymmetry is normal but its extemely uneven.

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS · Answer

I would recommend waiting 3-4 months to allow all of the swelling to resolve before making any final judgements about your shape.  Then, you can see if you need any revisions.

Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS · Answer

You are still early in recovery period...and things will evolve over at least 3 months, so right now the best thing to do is wait, and continue to follow your surgeons instructions. Some underlying hip asymmetry due to asymmetric bone structure or curved spine is quite common. It appears from the pictures that you are not standing perfectly straight, and I wonder if there is some underlying asymmetry. Looking at your preop pictures would help sort that out. Even if there asymmetry, some liposuction to the more prominent hip could be done in future if asymmetry persists. It looks like your surgeon did a nice job. I would continue to work with your surgeon.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I think it likely that there is a component of swelling obscuring results at this time. In addition, there may be some side to side asymmetry in bony and muscular structure that was not appreciated prior to surgery. Seromas can certainly alter contours. It is fairly easy to determine by the surgeon the relative flap thickness in liposuction, and something like this in my experience does not occur. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Howard Webster, MBBS (Hons), FRACS · Answer

Hi there,

	At this time post op, and with the seroma history, it's very hard to know whether the asymmetry seen is because of different swelling on each side due to the seroma. THere may even be residual seroma on the right - if it was drained from the left.  I suggest you check again with your surgeon.

	My general comment is that if you were symmetric preop, it would be very unusual to be significantly asymmetric postop - it is not a hard operation in which to achieve good symmetry. So I think this will be swelling related.

	My other comment is that your tummy tuck looks very good.  I think your surgeon looks to have done a very professional, aesthetic job.  The belly button looks good, and the scar is nice and low.

	 

	All the very best.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

You are still in the recovery period. Allow yourself to heal before becoming concerned over issues that you cannot control. Keep your surgeon informed of your concerns and at your last visit (where post-op photos are usually taken), make sure your surgeon will address any issues you may have. Your photos show some asymmetry but noting alarming. But your surgeon should be informed so he/she can be looking for things that may be causing your problem.

David L. Cangello, MD, FACS · Answer

It's difficult to say this early in the post-op  why you have asymmetry. All the things you mentioned are factors that can contribute to the asymmetry you exhibit. In addition, you may have had some asymmetry pre-op, as most patients do, but are actually not aware.

	It's not possible to say definitively what is the cause of your asymmetry without examining you and knowing what you looked like before you had surgery. I would suggest you sit down with your surgeon and discuss your concerns, and perhaps even take a look at your pre-op photos. Give it time though...things will continue to change and even out as the healing process continues.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

The issues are multiple. The post operative severe seroma only adds to the question. You might have been very asymmetric as a normal anatomic variation or you had an uneven back causing uneven hips I do not know. Only in person evaluations with obtain that answer.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

At 5 wks post surgery froma tummy tuck and liposuction is still very early. If you had a seroma, it is important to keep on top of it as fluid can re-accumulate.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

It is really too early in your post operative recovery period to begin to judge your result. There is always swelling following any surgical procedure. Continue to follow the advice of your plastic surgeon. If the asymmetry persists after 4 - 6 months then a liposuction revision may be indicated.

Eric Chang, MD · Answer

It is hard to answer this question well without seeing your preop pictures. Often people have asymmetries that they are fully unaware of prior to me pointing them out. I make sure to point these things out to people before the operation. Yes, your post op pictures do look asymmetric but this may be due to swelling differences as well.

Asymmetrical Hips After Lipo/TT? (photo)

Answers (11)

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