Will lipo of saddlebags and abdomen leave saggy, lumpy skin? (Photos)

Question

I want to have lipo to remove saddle bags and flatten stomach but I am scared that it will cause saggy skin.

Jeffrey A. Klein, MD · Answer

Photographically, your skin elasticity looks to be good and you are an excellent candidate for tumescent liposuction using micro-cannulas. This technique offers the smoothest results and lowest complication rate. Introducing "skin tightening" devices can increase the risk of complications unnecessarily. While skin that is already crepey will remain so, once the fat is removed from the abdomen and the skin is "unweighted", we usually see a dramatic reduction in the panis (fatty skin that hangs down).

Roger Tsai, MD · Answer

Great question!  This all depends on your skin quality, but it could be possible that the skin ends up being loose than before.  Imagine a deflation balloon - as the volume decreases, you could have excess skin.  If you have thick elastic skin, then it maybe not cause an issue, if you already have a bit of loose skin and its not firm at the moment, then you could end up with looser skin.  You shouldn't be lumpy.Best of luck and hope this information helps!
- Dr. Roger Tsai  @DrRogerTsai
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

William Franckle, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. While it is impossible to give you concrete advice from a photo, if you are looking to reduce excess fat on your abdomen a full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck or liposuction may be your best options.  Generally speaking, if there is loose skin and/or stretch marks that need to be addressed during the procedure a tummy tuck is preferred over liposuction.Liposuction can be helpful in removing fatty deposits around the abdomen and giving an overall toned appearance of the abdomen. Although there can be some shrinkage of skin with just a liposuction procedure, there is rarely enough shrinkage for someone who has abdominal wall skin laxity. My suggestion would be to see a board certified surgeon in your area for an in person consultation to ensure you are an ideal candidate for liposuction.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best. The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heats the skin with radiofrequency devices such as Renuvion (J-Plasma), InMode BodyTite, and ThermiRF to heat the undersurface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HI-DEF VASER Liposuction and can only be done by a well-trained body contouring specialist. At the same time, fat should be harvested and purified, with PRP and stem cells added, and then injected into muscles, indentations and cellulite to get body shaping and contouring. For a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), we inject the fat into 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 a combination of Cellfina, 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: tummy tuck/abdominoplasty for lower abdominal skin; breast lift for excess breast skin; and/or a brachioplasty for loose arm skin.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. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

you would do so well with liposuction of the tummy and thighs but be sure to get it done under tum. local with the small canulas for best results. It is highly unlikely to get saggy skin after lipo of these areas when done with the microcanulas.

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. Based on these photos, you are a great candidate for VASER Hi Def Lipo to give you an hourglass figure and remove the saddlebags to reshape the lateral thighs. To get the best results, you need to see a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques to avoid loose skin, and unnatural grooves and depressions. I often see over liposuctioned saddlebags that leave a masculine shape to the buttock/thigh junction (flat) and/or dents into the lateral buttocks. Do your research in choosing the right surgeon. Good luck.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

emcarlin68 I appreciate your concern, however usually skin retracts nicely after liposuction of those regions, especially the thighs. It can be less predictable in the abdomen, especially if you have had previous pregnancies. In either case, appropriate volume reduction of the areas with artistic contouring should be achieved. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area for a full evaluation and be sure to ask lots of questions.  Good luck!

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
Based on your pictures, you are a good candidate for liposuction to improve your abdomen, back and flanks, and I think you'll get very good results. 
In general, you need to be physically healthy and at a stable weight, have realistic expectations, be a non-smoker and your BMI needs to be 30 or less.
l recommend you to make an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon to talk about your goals and anything you need to know.
Good luck :)

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Based on the picture you are a good candidate for saddle bags. For abdomen it may leave some loose skin. Please consult with a board certified PS for evaluation.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

The answer to your question is maybe. The outcome from liposuction is highly dependent on who does your procedure. Some providers leave people disfigured while others routinely deliver top-notch results consistently.  I suggest having a few and in person consultations but experienced board-certified plastic surgeons who could demonstrate several hundred before and after pictures of liposuction results. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of choosing the best providers. Best, Mats Hagstrom M.D.

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