Am I candidate for lipo or tummy tuck?

Question

I am 33 and 4 years in remission of breast cancer. I struggle with fatigue and getting proper exercise. I have removed 7 lymph nodes under my right arm and deal with chronic inflammation. I I I strongly desire a body that makes me look and feel good in a bikini . I never had any children but my tummy says different. I am terrified of more scarring and any complications but want to do surgery that actually makes me look and feel good about myself. Please help.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding a tummy tuck after breast cancer. Before any plastic surgery is contemplated, it will be important for you to consult with your internist regarding the safety of you undergoing an elective tummy tuck. If you are medically cleared for this procedure, I believe you can proceed. Generally, in the hands of an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, the risks of a tummy tuck are low. Certain precautions need to be taken like compression garments, sequential compression devices on your calves to minimize blood clots, blood thinner injections, antibiotics, etc. Your plastic surgeon will discuss these necessary precautions. in regards to the scarring and feeling better about your body, those are questions that only you can answer for yourself. There’s no tummy tuck that can be performed without a scar so you need to understand that to achieve a better body, a scar will be necessary. If you accept the fact that there will be a scar to make a better body and you are realistic about the expectations of a tummy tuck, I would certainly suggest that you proceed. When looking for a plastic surgeon, please seek an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who has done hundreds of 
tummy tucks.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. It’s hard to say what the best options for you is without an exam or photos but nonetheless, you deserve to feel beautiful. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options after an evaluation.

Christopher Pannucci, MD, MS · Answer

Hi Forceful2775,
A personal history of breast cancer four years ago, with no active disease, does not preclude you from having elective cosmetic surgery.
For all patients having elective surgery, it's best to have surgery at your goal weight, and when you are at your baseline activity level.
I'd suggest meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss options for abdominal contouring. Full disclosure: you mention you are "terrified of more scarring and any complications"--a tummy tuck will 100% create scars on your body, and no surgery is without risk of complications.
Meeting with a plastic surgeon can help better define your goals, and allow a real time discussion of the risks, benefits, and scar patterns of the proposed operation.
Hope this helps!
Best,Christopher Pannucci MDBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgery NorthwestSpokane, Washington

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Forceful2775,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Providing that your general condition is stable and breast cancer currently contained, I see no reason why you should not do elective body contouring surgery. Only on the basis of in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, primary care physician and your medical oncologist such a decision should be made. Good luck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best. The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heats the skin with radiofrequency devices such as Renuvion (J-Plasma), InMode BodyTite, and ThermiRF to heat the undersurface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HI-DEF VASER Liposuction and can only be done by a well-trained body contouring specialist. At the same time, fat should be harvested and purified, with PRP and stem cells added, and then injected into muscles, indentations and cellulite to get body shaping and contouring. For a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), we inject the fat into the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face. Cellulite should also be treated with a combination of QWO or Cellfina, subcision, and/or fillers such as Bellafill, Renuva synthetic fat, or Sculptra. If skin is very loose before surgery, then it will need to be removed: tummy tuck/abdominoplasty for lower abdominal skin; breast lift for excess breast skin; and/or a brachioplasty for loose arm skin.

Overall, you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Overall, you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Nancy de Kleer, MD, FRCSC (Plast) · Answer

I agree with you that surgery to treat the appearance of the tummy can make you feel better about yourself.  Having had cancer in the past, even with ongoing challenges related to that does not mean you can't have more surgery. 
An in person consultation regarding abdominal body contouring will be helpful for you to explore whether you are a good candidate at the present time, based on a review of your health status and a physical exam.
All the best to you,
Dr. Nancy de Kleer

Leo McCafferty, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and congratulations on 4 years of remission from breast cancer.  Your previous history would not preclude you from having your stomach and body assessed.  I cannot comment on specific options for you without pictures but I strongly advise you to see a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in body contouring for a full evaluation and discussion of options.  There is help out there for you; don't be afraid!

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Dear Forceful,
Sorry to hear about your cancer diagnosis and the chronic lymphedema.  Photos would aid in answering your question.  It is impossible to comment on your case otherwise.
Fear of abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) scars may cause you to go for liposuction, which will help you if  your skin is not redundant and had elasticity.

Dr. Taranow

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

It is difficult to answer your question without photos or a consultation. That being said, a tummy tuck is typically required if there is stretching of the abdominal muscle and/or if there is significant skin redundancy. Otherwise vaser liposuction can be used to remove fat. The Gold Standard for superior liposuction results requires use of the advanced technology of ultrasound assisted VASER liposuction. As an official trainer of VASER liposuction, I perform full body liposuction cases every week. VASER liposuction has been the only modality that has consistently resulted in outstanding liposuction outcomes. VASER liposuction ensures a smooth contour regardless of degree of excess fat by virtue of being able to remove any and all remaining fat comprehensively and uniformly. If skin redundancy is observed, Renuvion technology can be simultaneously applied to tighten your skin to optimize your overall contour outcome. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a VASER specialist will help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.

Respectfully,
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Am I candidate for lipo or tummy tuck?

Answers (11)

More Liposuction Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (11)

More Liposuction Questions

Botched arm lipo , is it possible to gain weight on my arms after liposuction with time? (Photo)

How long after lipo does pubic swelling go down?

BMI of 35.9 - can get liposuction and a breast fat transfer?

Does Liposuction for abdomen (for fat grafting surgery) always leave a scar or does it depend on method?

Is lipo to the forearms possible in my case? (Photo)

Is it safe to have full body liposuction?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS