5 weeks post Mommy Makeover with Lipo of flanks, still have flabby hips, is this normal?

Question

I had a Mommy makeover including tummy tuck and lipo of flanks. I am still swollen as expected, however, my belly is firm and my hips are jiggly. My measurements have barely changed from pre surgery and I'm feeling discouraged. Any words of encouragement? Is jiggle normal in swollen areas?

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you very much for your question and
congratulations on your recent Mommy Makeover procedure. At five weeks post op,
you are still at a very early point in your recovery and will need to wait
until your body has had ample time to heal before assessing your results.
However, it is possible that a revision abdominoplasty may be necessary to rid
your stomach of the existing lax tissue and provide your desired physical
contours. I recommend continuing with your scheduled follow-up appointments and
bringing up any remaining concerns with your operating surgeon.

Farah Naz Khan, MD · Answer

I typically advise my patients to give it a good 2-3 months to start seeing good results but to wait a good 6months to a year to see their final results. Swelling can often take a long time to resolve so just continue wearing your compression garment and give your body adequate time to heal. Also, ask your surgeon to pull up your preop photos so you can see the change (however slight it may be at this point). This will be encouraging! Good luck!

Mehdi K. Mazaheri, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately without an examination of some photos it's impossible to answer your question. You are still early on in your healing and things will continue to improve in the next few months. Please discuss all your concerns with your surgeon. Good luck. DrMaz

Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD · Answer

You should certainly wait, as 5 weeks is too early to come to conclusions.  However, when someone has lose skin not only on the front of their abdomen, but on their waist or even around their lower back, a more aggressive approach may be necessary to give the best contour.  This could be an extended abdominoplasty (simply extending the skin removal farther along the side), or a belt lipectomy, where the removal goes all the way around the waist.  Liposuctioning the waist as a part of a tummy tuck is typical, but assumes the skin on the waist is in good shape.  Liposuctioning any area where the skin is loose can make the skin looser.  Give it more time and discuss with your surgeon.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Recovery from these procedures is unique for each patient.  Swelling is common for several months after surgery, and may even fluctuate during the day as you return to regular activities.  Your surgeon is your best resource to let you know if what you are experiencing is a regular part of healing.  He/She is most familiar with the details of your surgery and how you've been progressing through recovery.

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

When the hips are jiggle following a tummy tuck surgery, it is most often due to skin redundancy in the flank/love handle areas which require an extension of your tummy tuck incision onto the lateral flank area. This revision allows for maximal reduction of bulk in this area which will narrow your waist as well as raising and tightening of the lateral flanks. A consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon can demonstrate how this revision is performed and the results to be expected.

M. Dean Vistnes, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

The lumpiness, swelling, itching and hardness after a surgery like you had typically persists at least 8 weeks after the surgery then slowly goes away. In my experience, daily massage of the hard areas makes the biggest difference in getting rid of it sooner rather than later. It can easily take 6 months or more to see results. Your tummy tuck scars will usually flatten and fade between 9-12 months but can sometimes take closer to 18 months. Scar fading depends on your genetics. Be sure to keep any scheduled follow up appointments you have with your surgeons for his evaluation and advice. Hope this helps.
Dean Vistnes, M.D.
Vistnes Plastic Surgery
San Francisco Bay Area
#realself #drdeanvistnes #tummytuck #liposuction

5 weeks post Mommy Makeover with Lipo of flanks, still have flabby hips, is this normal?

Answers (7)

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