2 months post op, I have excess skin on abdomen after liposuction. What can I do about this?

Question

I am 2 months post op after liposuction on abdomen and flanks and thighs . I am 44 and 5' 3". I am 121 lbs. I have only lost about 4 lbs but now have a lot of loose skin on my abdomen. What can I do about this that is not surgical? Abdominal binder? Ultherapy? Exilis? What would work best?

Kendall Roehl, MD, FACS · Answer

It is still early in the healing process after liposuction. You may still see some improvement over the next few months. This all depends of the quantity and quality of the skin. If you have had children or if you have stretch marks, often the skin cannot retract as well as we all would hope.  If there is lose skin after six months then you may want to consider additional treatment. Unfortunately, the best option is usually further surgery to remove that skin of the abdomen. Best of luck to you.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

The only way to remove surplus skin is to have it surgically excised. Technology aimed at tightening the skin so far doesn't work well.

Kyle Song, MD · Answer

At 2 months, you are still in the relative early post-op period, and you can still expect some improvement over the next couple months.  It may not be as much tightening as you'd like, but there are still other ways to improve the skin tightness.  Typically women who have had children, are older than 40, and have liposuction on their lower tummy, have a decreased ability to shrink the skin after liposuction.  Depending on the amount and quality of your skin, there are various options ranging from non-invasive to surgical procedures to meet your goals.  The non-invasive techniques generally offer only small small small changes, but sometimes patients are happy.  Surgical options include anything from a mini-tummy tuck to a full tummy tuck, but will leave the skin nice and tight.  Hope this helps.

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

Depending on the degree of looseness of the skin and the fascia beneath it, there are several options, from minimally invasive radio frequency/ultrasound tightening devices (small results) to various types of surgery.Make sure to get all the pros and cons of the various procedures before proceeding further.  An ASAPS member or board certified plastic surgeon will be able to assess the degree of laxity of the various tissue levels, damage from any pregnancies, etc.Despite many promises of significant tightening of the skin and fascia with minimally invasive devices, we typically use them primarily for smaller degrees of skin looseness only; they don't tighten the fascia significantly.  Patients who expect a large degree of tightening tend to be disappointed with the results.Fortunately there are a number of tummy tucks available including less invasive, shorter incision tummy tucks that are available for patients who couldn't tolerate the incision of a full tummy tuck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

My suggestion is to post photos so we can determine if a noninvasive device can be helpful or if you need surgery such as a tummy tuck.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Edward J. Domanskis, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

I would evaluate whether various non surgical skin tightening options that we have available would help or whether you need some surgical tightening, listen to what you want to achieve and decide how we can proceed.

2 months post op, I have excess skin on abdomen after liposuction. What can I do about this?

Answers (6)

More Liposuction Questions

Does standing for long hours and walking around (6 hours a day) affect lipo results?

Compression Garment too tight. I damaged my skin, can you please tell me how I can help it heal faster? (photos)

I'm 40lbs over my ideal weight and have severe lordosis. Am I a candidate for liposuction? What would my end results be? (Photo)

Is it absolutely necessary to take Antibiotics after Liposuction?

What safe method would you recommend to remove fat all of my face? And can make my face line return?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS