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

Question

What type of liposuction technique (for abdomen as donor site) leave less of a scar? This is for fat grafting surgery.

Leo McCafferty, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Typically harvesting fat from the abdomen or elsewhere for fat grafting is done through a needle sized opening.  In my experience this does not leave any scar consequence.  it does depend on the amount of fat necessary for grafting.  Please see a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns.  But I would not be overly concerned about a scar at the donor site.  Good luck to you!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Nick Slenkovich, MD · Answer

Hi and thanks for your question! Scars are definitely a huge concern for most of our patients. You need to understand that there will always be a trade off - scars for results. 
For liposuction, various small incisions are made along the front and back of your trunk. These are not large in size and tend to not be noticeable.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

The scar for harvesting fat is usually small about 4 mm but there will an incision depending on where the fat is harvested from.  The abdomen is not always the donor site.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Warren Schutte, MD · Answer

Hello, when using the abdomen as a 'harvest site' for fat grafting it is typical to have 1 or 2 very small (about 1 cm) long port sites from the liposuction cannula. These will heal very well and inconspicuous with time but yes, a small scar will be left from the liposuction cannula. These sites can usually be hidden in the umbilicus or covered with clothing.

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

Answers (9)

Answer: Fat transfer

Answer: Fat transfer

Answer: Lipo scar for fat grafting

Answer: Lipo scar for fat grafting

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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

Answers (9)

Answer: Fat transfer

Answer: Fat transfer

Answer: Lipo scar for fat grafting

Answer: Lipo scar for fat grafting

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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.