How Can I Minimize Sagging Skin After Liposuction?

Sagging skin of the back 2 months after liposuction is not that unusual since the skin will start to tighten usually the 3rd-6th months. It may be too soon to see tightening yet but it will happen with time. Massaging is usually started after 1-2 weeks and continued for a couple of months so get started massaging the area and don't worry so much about the sagging at this time. Endermologie is a good procedure to start now to help the skin tighten since it gets rid of excess fluid that contributes to sagging.
David Hansen,MD

Dear Ludmila,

Thank you for your question concerning the management of sagging skin after liposuction, especially in the upper back area. It's understandable to have concerns about skin elasticity and contour post-procedure. Here are some strategies that may help improve the appearance of the skin and support your recovery process.

1. Continued Use of Compression Garments: You're already wearing your compression garments, which is excellent. These garments play a crucial role in supporting the healing tissue, reducing swelling, and encouraging the skin to retract and conform to your new contour. Continuing to wear these as recommended by your surgeon is vital.

2. Lymphatic Massage: Starting lymphatic massage can be beneficial for improving skin texture and elasticity. Lymphatic massage helps to reduce swelling more efficiently and can encourage better circulation, which in turn supports skin tightening and healing. Usually, you can begin lymphatic massage as soon as your surgeon gives you the go-ahead, often a few weeks post-surgery, once the initial healing has occurred.

3. Hydration and Nutrition: Proper hydration and a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can support skin elasticity. Foods high in vitamins C and E, for example, can help in collagen formation, which is essential for skin health.

4. Skin Tightening Treatments: There are various non-surgical skin tightening treatments available, such as radiofrequency, ultrasound, or laser therapies, that can improve skin elasticity. These treatments work by stimulating collagen production in the dermis, leading to tighter, more youthful-looking skin. Discussing these options with a dermatologist or your plastic surgeon can provide insights into what might work best for your situation.

5. Exercise: Once you're fully healed and your surgeon has given you the green light, incorporating exercises that target the upper back could help improve muscle tone beneath the skin, potentially improving the area's overall appearance.

Regarding the timeline for skin retraction, it varies from person to person depending on factors like age, skin quality before surgery, and how well the post-operative care instructions are followed. While significant improvement in skin tightness can occur within the first 6 months, it may take up to a year to see the full extent of skin retraction and healing.

It's essential to maintain open communication with your surgeon throughout your recovery process. They can offer personalized advice, assess your progress, and recommend additional interventions if necessary. While some degree of skin laxity might remain, especially in areas with inherently looser skin, the measures mentioned can help maximize the aesthetic outcome of your procedure.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon

Thank you for your question. It is hard to provided with a valid medical opinion without photos.  I would suggest to be treated by board certificated plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.
Kind Regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Hello Ludmila,

I appreciate your questions! I typically recommend VASER Liposuction as opposed to traditional methods of liposuction because VASER Lipo is the only method clinically proven to cause 53% skin retraction relative to other techniques, and the risk for contour irregularities (indentations and fibrosis) is significantly lower with the use of the VASER machine. Plastic surgeons have different post-operative protocols customized for every patient, to achieve the best results. After a liposuction procedure, patients are required to wear their compression garments around the clock (except for showering), immediately after surgery, for approximately 6 months. The skin retraction and swelling after surgery typically would occur up to six months. In order to have uniform skin retraction during that six months, I recommend wearing these compression garments up to that time. If you are still dissatisfied with the outcome after the swelling recedes, consult with your aesthetic plastic surgeon about your particular concerns and improvements’ options. Depending on your particular situation, you might be a good candidate for VASER Liposuction combined with Renuvion (J-Plasma) to eliminate excess fat while tightening your skin at the same time. Best wishes! Dr. De La Cruz.

 

Thanks for your question. Best is to follow your specific surgeon's post op protocol. I  have my liposuction patients wear a compression garment (faja) covering all treated 24/7 except to shower for 4 weeks post op.  This helps ontrol swelling as the compression on your tissues helps your body to reabsorb the edema fluid that accumulates in the tissues after any procedure. This can take quite some time to happen without help from the compression garments.  It also helps improve  contour.  Compression helps to keep the tissues adherent to the underlying structures while healing, this can help prevent the wrinkled skin appearance that can happen when the tissues heal in ways we don't want them to.

It’s not unusual for patients to
see significant changes in their bodies for up to six months following
liposuction.This occurs for a variety
of reasons, including resolution of swelling, the wound-healing process and
skin contraction.For this reason, it’s
always difficult to make aesthetic judgments for at least four to six months
following this type of procedure. In
patients who had relatively good skin tone prior to surgery, continued
compression, massage, exercise and a healthy diet are helpful.When these approaches are utilized, the skin
tends to snap back nicely. Unfortunately,
when loose skin was present pre-operatively, this may not always be
helpful.Under these circumstances,
secondary procedures that involve skin resections may be necessary.It’s
important that you maintain close communication with your plastic surgeon.Your surgeon should be able to formulate a
treatment plan that addresses your concerns.

Sagging skin may be able to firm back up over the next few months. Wait it out until 6 months after your surgery. Until then, follow your surgeon's instructions, wear your compression garment and eat a healthy diet. 

Loose skin may tighten up naturally on its own with time. You may need to wait a couple more months for this to occur. After about four months, you'll be able to assess your results to see if additional treatment is required to address sagging skin. You may require surgery if the concern is very apparent, or you may consider nonsurgical skin tightening options. While results can be unpredictable and take a while to achieve, you may wan to still consider them anyway if you don't want to have another surgery. Best of luck.

Liposuction on the back needs to be approached with  caution.  The skin here can be looser than expected, and often what looks like a fat roll in fact is more of a skin roll.  It takes experience and skill to treat this area properly.  Your skin looseness might improve only minimally at this time.

In our practice we treat back areas with a specialized ultrasound Liposuction.  This modality allows for better contouring of this fibrous fat, it also promotes some skin tightening.  Of course proper planning, execution and postoperative care are paramount to obtain the desired result in this area.

The only way to know if you would have loose skin after liposuction would be to have a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon.  The key to liposuction is not the amount of fat removed it is the amount of fat that remains and the quality of the skin.  Poor skin elasticity will yield a poor result.