Indent in stomach from liposuction. Is my only real option a fat transfer? (Photo)

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photos. Based on the images and your description, it appears that you have a noticeable indentation just above your belly button, likely caused by excessive fat removal in that area during your previous liposuction. This has created a shelf-like appearance, especially when viewed from the side.

To address this concern, there are three potential options:

Fat Transfer: This is the most effective and reliable option. A surgeon would harvest fat from another part of your body and carefully inject it into the indented area to restore volume and smooth out the contour. Fat transfer offers a natural result and is customizable to your specific needs.

Liposuction Adjustment: Another approach could involve further liposuctioning the fat below your belly button to better match the area above. However, this does not address the lost volume above your belly button and may not provide the symmetry or smoothness you're seeking.

Sculptra Injections: Sculptra, a collagen-stimulating injectable, could be used to add volume to the indented area. While it may improve the appearance to some extent, it is often unpredictable, temporary, and costly compared to fat transfer.

Of these options, fat transfer is the most reliable and long-lasting solution. It allows for precise sculpting and can create a balanced, natural appearance.

I recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring to determine the best approach for you. With proper technique and planning, you can achieve a much smoother abdominal contour.

Sincerely,
Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Denting can be due to over-suction of the dented area or under-suction of the surrounding area. Based on your photos, I appreciate the denting above your belly button which is likely to be due to over-suction. However, looking at the area below the belly button (on the third photo), it seems like that area can be further refined with liposuction.
Further in-person is required but if my presumption is correct, liposuction to area below belly button and using the fat to transfer to the dented area will be the best option. This will even out the dent and further refine the region below the belly button.

Hi. Thank you for your question.
Based on review of your photos, I would recommend fat equalization under tumescent anesthesia prior to consider trying any type of fat transfer to this area. This is basically done with a special liposuction cannula as part of S.A.FE. liposuction techniques (without suction, since we don't want to remove any additional fat from this area) that will create 'micro fat grafts' from the surrounding areas that have more residual fat. The idea is that these 'micro fat grafts' will help level the appearance of this area relative to the surrounding abdominal wall.
Best of luck!
-Dr. Smith

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. It sounds like you've already taken proactive steps to address the issue with BodyFX and Morpheus 8 treatments, but it seems like you're still not satisfied with the results.

Considering the indent and the lack of fat in the affected area, a fat transfer could indeed be a viable option. Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting or fat injection, involves transferring fat from one part of the body to another to improve contour irregularities and add volume.

Before proceeding with any additional treatments, I would recommend consulting with a board-certified vaser surgeon or dermatologist who specializes in body contouring and liposuction revisions. They can evaluate your specific situation, discuss your concerns and goals, and recommend the most suitable treatment options for achieving the desired outcome.

During your consultation, your provider may also explore other potential solutions, such as dermal fillers or surgical revision procedures, depending on the severity and cause of the indent.

It's essential to have a thorough discussion with your healthcare provider to ensure you fully understand your options, potential risks, and expected outcomes before making any decisions.

Hello; excessing fat, was removed from the belly button and unilaterally. However, the main problem is that; there is an adhesion of the subcutaneous tissue to the base. Due to that adhesion, simply giving of fat; will not be enough. When you move, since the skin cannot act due to the shrinkage; pitting will appear. In the area attached to the base; it needs to be liberalized. Initially, Vaser is applied to the area; where there is adhesion in the upper abdomen zone; I recommend for loosening it. In the same session, Vaserlipo is implemented on the lower abdomen field and the fatty areas of the upper abdomen; with a sunken-looking upper abdominal area; the amount of fat can be tried to be equalized. Afterwards, if the pit is still noticeable; fat injection procedure or PLLA injection (lanluma, sculptura) can be realized.

Based on the posted photo, I recommend in person or virtual consultation. But fat grafting is a great option. It may take more than one session, each session fee ranges $3000-$8000. Another option would be a combination of Sculptra & Radiesse , vital/syringe injections. Again multiple sessions may be required. This is done purely under local anesthesia only. Those fees could range from $5000-$15,000. Again an virtual consult with.

This response was dictated.
My apologies for any potential grammatical errors.
Plastic surgery outcomes are generally based on two variables.
The first is patient candidacy, and the second is skill of the provider.
In your case, I believe your outcome is a pure combination of both.
I think youIn your case, I believe you’re outcome is a pure combination of both.
I think you have some abdominal skin laxity from previous pregnancies, and this lessened your candidacy for the procedure.
If you pull on your skin to make it tight You can probably get a better assessment of the true thickness of subcutaneous fat.
I think your treatment was on the aggressive side and because of that revision surgery is unlikely to do much for you.
Fat transfer is unlikely to be productive, because you no longer have tissue to support the grafted fat.
To make an accurate assessment regarding the outcome of any plastic surgery procedure we generally always need to see a complete set of proper before and after pictures.
If you don’t have before, and after pictures and ask your surgeon to forward, the pictures they took.
Without knowing what you look like before the procedure, we can’t assess your candidacy for liposuction, which is going to inevitably determine what kind of results you should’ve expected.
Liposuction potential is highly dependent on patient candidacy.
Even mild skin laxity can lower someone’s candidacy and potential outcome for this procedure.
The appearance of someone’s abdomen is generally dependent on four tissue variables.
Understanding which variables are contributing helps understand which procedure is going to offer the best outcome and potential limitations of treatments that don’t address, primary or secondary variables.
The four variables to determine what the abdomen looks like are abdominal skin laxity typically due to previous pregnancies or weight loss. Excess subcutaneous fat. Muscle separation from previous pregnancy and excess visceral or intra-abdominal fat.
Less aggressive Liposuction may have left your skin, draping your body in a better way, but would also have delivered less benefit.
Sometimes it is a trade-off.
It’s possible that the Liposuction was done leaving you with an uneven fat distribution, but I’m fairly certain that skin laxity is definitely contributing.
To get a quality assessment, I suggest relying on in person second opinion consultations.
For second opinion, consultations comp prepared bringing with you a complete set of proper before and after pictures and copy of your previous operative report.
These are still available from your current providers office if you request them.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD