Liposuction gone really wrong. I'd like to know what I can do to fix this problem. Will tummy tuck help?

Question

I had liposuction with extremely unfortunate results. I had the laser lipo in Oct 2016. From having a bit of fat I went to having wrinkly unequal (on both sides).. and all I got from doctor is calling me a "perfectionist". It is the same with my backside (for this he has asked me to come in a month but I am not hopeful). It has been a nightmare experience...and been treated in an unfair manner. Please advise .

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, you were not a candidate for liposuction alone, you should have had a tummy tuck at the same time, which can be performed with a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction. For best results, I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermRF and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

Personally, I am incredibly sorry that you have gone through this horrible nightmare.  Liposuction is possibly one of the easiest surgery an experienced Board Certified plastic surgeon can perform.  In 1975, Yves-Gerard Illouz invented what we call liposuction today.  It was introduced to America at the ASPS meeting in Honolulu in 1982.  There have been many modifications of the original Illouz technique, but only a few of them have any value.  In my opinion, there is no greater advantage to the patient when doing Laser, Vaser, Smooth, Smart, Slim, etc liposuction.  The majority of Board Certified plastic surgeons in the U.S. do liposuction using a canula and the muscle in one's arm which is assisted by a 1/4 hp suction machine.  It's hard for me to tell from your pictures and your comments if you have had one or more pregnancies or are just carrying some extra weight.  Also, one's age is an important determinant of whether liposuction of the abdomen can be done in the best of hands.  Post pregnancy females or people over 50, especially of northern European descent, tend to be poor candidates for abdominal liposuction even if the surgeon is a well experienced Board Certified plastic surgeon.  All in all, I think your abdomen is the wrong venue for primary liposuction alone.Going forward and after due consideration, I think that ultrasound (the kind physical therapists use for sore muscles) to loosen your scar tissue and then a tummy tuck done by an incredibly well trained Board Certified plastic surgeon are your best first steps.  The tightening of your skin will help loosen some of the scar tissue and give you a much better surface on which to liposuction the residual fat.  As far as your back is concerned, it is just undersuctioned.  If you were my patient, I would use classical liposuction with incisions made midback.  Also, the so called wrinkles on your back are, in fact, membranes separating various fat compartments.  We are segmented just like worms are, and to get rid of these segmentations, one has to make multiple passes into these membranes on the diagonal, tearing these membranes apart.  This is known as fenestration, and this can be done at the same time as the tummy tuck.

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. Was your surgeon a board certified plastic surgeon? Who ever did your surgery has very little understanding of liposuction surgery. It is not the tool used that is at fault, but the operator of the tool. The preop markings are not based on your underlying anatomy, I'm not sure what they supposed to represent or guide the surgeon. You just had a debulking, fat reduction procedure with suboptimal results.First, do not go back to your original surgeon for corrections, based on these photos, it will not end well. You need to find a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. Based on the limited view photos, you might need at least two surgeries to correct your results. I, personally, would do VASER liposuction of your whole abdomen, back, waist and hips to correct the uneven liposuction that you had. This is not easy, due to the tremendous scarring that Smartlipo causes under the skin. Once your feminine shape is achieved, 4-6 months later you will need a tummy tuck.It is important to choose the right surgeon with the right credentials, training and expertise. Good luck.

Manuel Ventura Gonzalez, MD · Answer

I am very sorry that you have been through this situation
It is very important that you send photos and thus you have a better appreciation of what you really need. Make an appointment with a certified plastic surgeon and then proceed to a medical evaluation taking into account the expectations you want to achieve.
  
Always to serve you !
Dr. Manuel Ventura ( Plastic Surgeon)

Carlos Gonzalez Legarda, MD · Answer

on your back all you have is poor skin elasticity, so I really think you can't expect a big change on the folds you see. On your tummy you have the poor elasticity more lumps more skin excess. So skin resection is a good idea to diminish irregularities. But if you had lipo with laser, then you need a good personal evaluation to decide if full tummy tuck is possible, because laser puts the skin more firm, so maybe tummy tuck can't close

Liposuction gone really wrong. I'd like to know what I can do to fix this problem. Will tummy tuck help?

Answers (5)

Answer: Unexpected results ?

Answer: Unexpected results ?

Answer: Pop liposuction

Answer: Pop liposuction

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Liposuction gone really wrong. I'd like to know what I can do to fix this problem. Will tummy tuck help?

Answers (5)

Answer: Unexpected results ?

Answer: Unexpected results ?

Answer: Pop liposuction

Answer: Pop liposuction

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.