Is this swelling in mons & abdomen or do I need Lipo? TT MR & Lipo to flanks on 4/4/19. Have open wound on wound vac.

Question

I am healing from open wound, I am using VAC & almost healed. Won’t go to PS until finish with wound care. I am curious Is this swelling in mons & ab area & dog ears? Will I need Lipo in those areas? I realize I am still healing so there will be swelling I am just curious if from what you can tell from pics is that a lot of swelling or looks minimum and may not decrease by much. Thanks in advance for your input.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello,
Great question. Thank you for your pictures. However, you are still early in your recovery process. It may take up to 6 months to see final results. Keep following up with your surgeon.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This needs a revision procedure, I suggest seeing an expert.
You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to 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 cellfina, sculptra, 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 such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  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.  Dr. Emer.

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. Based on your preop photos, you were not a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Hence the long scar that travels 3/4 ways around your torso and still have “dog ears”. If you were my patient, your body contouring would’ve been done in too stages. Yes, some would say, but that is two operations. Well, here you are after one with an expected wound complication and will need further surgery to improve your shape and try to create a more feminine figure. I, personally would have done liposuction 360 degrees with possible fat grafting ( no back view) and a TT 4-6 months later with a low pubic bone level incision which is 1/2 as long as your incision now.At this point, you need to wait 6 months or longer especially since you had a wound vac and lots of scarring. Once your body is ready, you will need liposuction 360 degrees, fat grafting to shape the buttocks and possibly excision of the dog ears. Good luck with your healing.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear TTApril2019,
I understand your concern and it is quite normal to be concerned about the outcome following a tummy tuck surgery. However, you are still in the very early stages of the healing process.
Your will need to be patient at this moment and follow what your surgeon has instructed you to do post operatively.At the early stage of the healing process, the tissues are still swollen. Once the swelling subsides  you will be able to see the final result of your surgery.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

There are far too many variables to give you an accurate assessment or answer.  You didn't state how long ago your procedure was or why you're dealing with wound care.  Any open wound will cause a substantial amount of inflammation with surrounding Adema. It also takes six months to see the final results after surgery.  Most likely you will have some contour irregularities from scar tissue contraction in the area of wound care and most likely some remaining fullness in your mons pubis.  Anticipate 6 to 12 months for your results to be final. This is especially true for the skin scar, which can take a year and a half to mature, both where the open wound is and the primary incision.  Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

Is this swelling in mons & abdomen or do I need Lipo? TT MR & Lipo to flanks on 4/4/19. Have open wound on wound vac.

Answers (5)

Answer: Tummy tuck results

Answer: Tummy tuck results

Answer: Swelling while healing

Answer: Swelling while healing

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction Revision

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

Is this swelling in mons & abdomen or do I need Lipo? TT MR & Lipo to flanks on 4/4/19. Have open wound on wound vac.

Answers (5)

Answer: Tummy tuck results

Answer: Tummy tuck results

Answer: Swelling while healing

Answer: Swelling while healing

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction Revision

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