Why do some doctors want to wait six months between procedures?

Question

Why do some doctors want to wait six months between procedures and others wait three months Especially for Lipo

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

You have to let your body heal from one surgery, I usually tell my patients to wait 3 months, that should be enough time to proceed to the next procedure. Always see a board certified PS.

Scott Reis, MD · Answer

This is a great question. After any surgery it takes at least six months for the swelling to resolve, the scar to begin maturing and the final shape and contour to become evident. This is especially the case with liposuction since so much swelling results from the nature of the procedure. In general surgeons will wait at least six months (sometimes more depending on the patient's individual circumstances and healing) before performing additional procedures on the same body area. For surgeries to other parts of the body though, 3 months in generally adequate to allow recovery from the initial surgery and optimization of your ability to heal quickly and efficiently after the second procedure. I suggest you listen to the advice of your plastic surgeon though, as they know you best.

Luis M. Rios Jr., MD · Answer

Very good question.Before embarking on procedures in the same area, most plastic surgeons follow some general guidelines depending on the procedure and part of the body.Redo nose surgeries (rhinoplasty) are done in 1 year to let the swelling settle and scar to soften. Removal and replacement of breast implants can usually be done in 3 months because the swelling is gone and inflammation has resolved. Revision liposuction can be done in 6 months because some areas of the body (abdomen & upper back) require that long for the swelling to resolve and the final shape to be seen. Also, liposuction areas can produce scar tissue that may take time to soften up before another liposuction procedure can be done in the same area. Moreover, if there was significant blood loss in the first surgery, it might be good to let the body heal and naturally replenish its blood cells.These are some basic guidelines and reasoning that plastic surgeons go by before attempting a revisional surgery. In general, the longer the patient waits between a second procedure in the same area, the easier it is for the plastic surgeon to get a good result for the patient.

Afshin Farzadmehr, MD · Answer

it is no uncommon to wait for 6 months until complete healing and swelling is resolved to evaluate final outcome.  Therefore, procedure on same area may not be recommended, however there is no issue for having procedures in different areas not previously operated on.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry, the time between procedures is based on the length of any one procedures,  the amount of blood loss expected, the patient's health, and the anatomic needs of the procedure as well as adequate time to heal to name a few reasons.  Please ask your surgeon to explain the reasons he/she might advise between procedures.

Why do some doctors want to wait six months between procedures?

Answers (10)

Answer: Healing time

Answer: Healing time

Answer: Time between procedures

Answer: Time between procedures

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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

Why do some doctors want to wait six months between procedures?

Answers (10)

Answer: Healing time

Answer: Healing time

Answer: Time between procedures

Answer: Time between procedures

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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.