I have IBS and have bloating. I've gained inches on my typically smaller waist area. Is it safe for me to have lipo?

Question

I will be getting liposuction in 2 weeks time on my upper, lower, flanks and bra strap area. 1) will it be okay/safe to also get my arms done via liposuction one week after my first operation? 2) Are there any benefits with liposuction -in alleviating IBS symptoms ie. improved waste expelling, removal of toxins, reduced bloathing, etc & 3) can I undergo the Cool Sculpting method 1 week after my abdomen liposuction or are there safety issues I should be aware of? Looking forward to your answers.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I would suggest going to someone who performs both surgical and nonsurgical options, and can answer your questions.  Liposuction is safe for anyone with IBS and all of the areas youre describing can be treated in one surgery without any problems.  you shouldnt need coolsculpting if you are having liposuction in the area.  Maybe you should get a second opinion, as it doesnt appear the first physician has answered your concerns.  I wish you the best, Dr. Emer.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

It probably makes more sense to have liposuction of your upper arms at the same time the of liposuction on other areas of your body. There are no benefits to my knowledge that liposuction will alleviate any of your inflammatory bowel syndrome symptoms. Re: Cool Sculpting, I do not think it wise to have it performed so soon after liposuction. My opinion is that it would be best interest to seek a second opinion from a plastic surgeon who performs both surgical and nonsurgical fat reduction procedures and would be able to guide you more appropriately.

Anh-Tuan Truong, MD, FACS · Answer

Monica,It sounds like you have a lot of procedures planned.  To answer your first question, it is generally safe to do liposuction on the upper arms in as little as a week after the first liposuction procedure, but this begs the question why you wouldn't just have your arms liposuctioned at the same time as your back and flanks?  In my practice, we do Smart Lipo and it is very common to treat the arms at the same time as the abdomen, flanks, and back.  We also stage procedures, but I typically like to wait 4-6 weeks between procedures when I do that.To answer your second question, there is no scientific evidence that liposuction would alleviate your IBS symptoms.  This is because IBS is a disorder of the small bowel, which is intra-abdominal.  The bloating you experience has to do with air trapped in dysfunctional small intestine and has nothing to do with the abdominal fat.  Liposuction on the abdomen when done correctly treats only the subcutaneous and deep subcutaneous fat and should not violate the intra-abdominal cavity which is deep to your rectus muscles.  Although some chemicals and hormones are stored in abdominal fat (mostly the visceral fat inside),  there is no evidence that removing belly fat would actually affect your IBS symptoms since IBS is essentially idiopathic.  There has been some anecdotal reports that liposuction of the abdomen can result in a temporary change in Estrogen levels. This usually results in some emotional effects that is relatively short-lived.  Unless, your IBS is related to Estrogen changes, I wouldn't count on it affecting your IBS symptoms.  The intra-abdominal bloating you experience will still manifest regardless of what you do to the overlying fatty layer. Regarding the Cool Sculpting immediately after, I wouldn't recommend it on the same area.  Although liposuction is generally minimally invasive, there is some subcutaneous trauma that may affect blood supply to the overlying skin that could increase your risk of complications with Cool Sculpting.  Furthermore, I see no benefit to having Cool Sculpting of the same area after liposuction.  If you are talking about doing Cool Sculpting on a completely different untreated area, then I would say it would be safe.

Randy Dean, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
The answer depends upon the amount of fat removed at your first procedure. Here in Florida, state law allows 4000 cc of fat (6-8 pounds) to be removed in one procedure. If less than 4000 cc is removed, one can address the arms at the same procedure. 
If 4000 cc is removed at the first procedure and the arms were not initially addressed, the scheduling of the second procedure depends upon your clinical status. Your blood work needs to be repeated for safety. If satisfactory, one can schedule a second procedure.
DO NOT undergo coolsculpting of the lipo'ed areas for at least 3 months after liposuction to allow for subsidence of swelling and the hypervascularity of healing. Premature application of cold may significantly damage underlying healing tissues.
Liposuction will have no effect upon IBS symptoms.
Visit a board certified plastic surgeon for evaluation and discussion.
Best wishes...

I have IBS and have bloating. I've gained inches on my typically smaller waist area. Is it safe for me to have lipo?

Answers (4)

Answer: Will liposuction affect IBS?

Answer: Will liposuction affect IBS?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposonix

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

I have IBS and have bloating. I've gained inches on my typically smaller waist area. Is it safe for me to have lipo?

Answers (4)

Answer: Will liposuction affect IBS?

Answer: Will liposuction affect IBS?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposonix

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