Got my appendix out a year ago and my stomach started bulging. Should I get liposuction or SculpSure? (photos)

Question

I got my appendix out a year ago and after that my stomach just started bulging out and I just gained weight everywhere. What is better to be done! I am 24 years old.

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Looking at your photos I would suggest a laser assisted Liposuction.  This procedure will help contour the area and help with the skin retraction.  I would suggest seeing a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to evaluate you in person.  Best of luck to you.

W. John Bull, MD · Answer

I think you would see a bigger change with liposuction over sculpture. There are other options however such as Cool Sculpting. I recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon to review these options with you.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear valcar1994,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Liposuction is a great option to remove excess fat tissue. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. What is better to be done? That depends on you; if you just want fat reduction only (SculpSure might help?!) or if you are interested in looking your best. If you are interested in looking your best, you would do best with VASER Hi Def Lipo 360 degrees and Renuvion J-Plasma skin tightening at the same time. This will give you an athletic, youthful figure.See a board certified plastic surgeons experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. Good luck.

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.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

valcar1994 I appreciate your concern, however diet and exercise should be your first option because at your young age, you should be able to return to your pre-surgery weight without liposuction. If this is ineffective, traditional liposuction is still the gold standard with regard to body contouring and removal of fat, unresponsive to diet and exercise. The fact that you are 24 years old, and require only modest fat reduction and contouring, it does not appear that you need any kind of “skin tightening” procedures. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to explore the best options for you. Good luck

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

BodyTite does not remove any fat, but it is capable of producing a 45% contraction in tissues.  It can be combined with liposuction to improve contours dramatically.  Results can be seen immediately after one treatment and are more evident over three to six months post-treatment. Wait until six months to fully evaluate the aesthetic results.  
Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Robert J. Paresi Jr., MD, MPH · Answer

Thanks for the question.  Based on your photos and the degree of periumbilical fat I would recommend liposuction.  This will give you a better overall result.  As far as the areas that would benefit from treatment, I would recommend your abdomen and waist.  These areas can easily be treated with awake liposuction with tumescent anesthesia.

Stephen M. Davis, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for writing,If your weight has changed and the belly wall fullness is related to weight and lack of exercise. Then I would strongly suggest this is easily reversed with diet and exercise. If however you are and have been weight stable and this is exercise resistant fat then liposuction work nicely. I would definitely have a good physical examination to ensure there is no hernia from you surgery. Then I would find a Board Certified Plastic surgeon who does a lot of this.Relative to the liposuction devices, It's my opinion and that of many other that it's not the machine or device as much as it is the surgeon and his / her ability and expertice. There are lots of devices out and the marketing is heavy. I good Plastic Surgeon who does  a lot of this work will make all the difference. I hope this helps good luck.Stephen M. Davis, MD, FACS
Certified: American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Member: RealSelf Hall of Fame

Paul B. Mills, MD · Answer

The best method for fat reduction remains diet and exercise.  This will result in the most natural result.  However, there can be persistent pockets of fat that do not resolve completely with diet and exercise.  Given your photos, I would recommend liposuction or Coolsculpting. I do not believe that Sculpsure is effective and other options would give a better result.  The differences between liposuction and Coolsculpting, however, are significant and are based on your examination as well as your desires (e.g. surgical vs non-surgical, immediate result with recovery vs slower improvement with minimal recovery).  Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon that offers both to discuss which one may be right for you.  Good luck!

Got my appendix out a year ago and my stomach started bulging. Should I get liposuction or SculpSure? (photos)

Answers (12)

More Liposuction Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (12)

More Liposuction Questions

I am undergoing liposuction but I can not take opiates, will I be in a lot of pain and is there an alternative way to manage it?

Will I be a dress size smaller 6 weeks after liposuction?

I have deep dents on either side of my body after Liposuction. What can I do? (photos)

2 months post liposuction and my stomach is still bumpy, was my procedure a failure? (Photo)

On January 31, 2019, I had J-Plasma and Liposuction done on my abdomen. Is this edema/swelling or still fat/loose skin? (Photos)

Seroma or swelling? I am 3 weeks post abdominal lipo. My lower abs have always been the most bruised, tender and swollen (photo)

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS