Had a tummy tuck 4 months ago. I now have 2 love handles, one on each side. What do i do?

You mentioned that these 'handles' are starting to appear. That suggests that you are gaining weight after your surgery. If they were there before surgery then perhaps you didn't concern yourself with them and now since your abdomen is looking great you feel disappointed because it ruins your new silhouette. In lieu of a picture liposuction is often the best and most gratifying solution. I'd suggest you go back to your surgeon and ask what can be done - that person is likely to have the right answer for you. 

It is difficult to comment whether what you referring to is dog ears--mostly skin issue or actual fat. Picture would help. Also, if you did not have liposuction of the flanks done, this is when the sides look worse compared to the front and would benefit from liposuction. Dog ears can be corrected under local anesthesia.

Most likely what you have is a "dog ear" each side. Your doctor has to evaluate and determine if liposuction would fix them or if skin resection is needed. Dr. Cardenas 

Hello, you might still find that the contour at the end of your tummy tuck incision improves over time.  However, if the areas of concern are not related to your original surgery, you could consider non-surgical options that remove fat (SculpSure, Coolsculpting, etc), liposuction, or further excision of skin and fatty tissue.  These are all options that could be discussed with your plastic surgeon.

Sorry this has happened to you!! This is what is most commonly known as a dogear. What this means is that the tummy tuck scar needed to be longer to remove the extra skin. Liposuction unfortunately will not fix this problem. You would need a revision to this! This is best performed by a plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Dear Sara, Thank you for posting you interesting question. Without photographs I will have to guess why you have "Love Handles" after you tummy tuck 4 months ago. Either you had love handles before your tummy tuck operation that were not liposuctioned or you are gaining weight following your tummy tuck. In either case, there is a solution. You can check your pre operative photographs and weight, with your plastic surgeon, to see if the love handles were present before surgery and see if you are just gaining weight. If you are gaining weight you can improve your diet and increase your exercise. If the excess fat was present before you tummy tuck and you are now more aware of it, you can have a second and much smaller liposuction procedure. I instruct my tummy tuck patients that those patients that maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise,  after the procedure, have the optimal long term results. Best wishes, Dr. Richard Swift

It is not uncommon to have extra fat in the flanks (love handles) after tummy tuck, because the tummy tuck only addresses the anterior abdomen; not the sides.  Most commonly the procedure done after tummy tuck is flank liposuction; occasionally a flank-pasty (liposuction and skin removal over the love handles).  I suggest seeking a consultation for liposuction evaluation in this area.

Please post a photo. If you had love handles before surgery, now that the core has been addressed, they may be more noticeable. However, if what you are referring to are post op dog ears, then these can be corrected under local anesthesia in the office.

Thank you for the question. It is not possible to render an accurate opinion without pictures.Hving said that, if the term love handles is referring to dog ears, this can be revised by either liposuction or resection. In either case an in-person evaluation will be needed to make the determination. I would suggest to continue following up with your plastic surgeon, this will allow you and your surgeon the chance to further discuss your concerns and help allay any anxieties you may be experiencing.

If it is true " love handles"(ie increased local fat of the posterior/lateral flanks) and weight loss doesn't helpliposuction is many times the best answer.If on the other hand it is a "dogear" at the end of the tummy tuck scar a small revision under local usually will do it