9 month after liposuction and still swollen, will this improve? (photos)

Question

Today is 9 months after my liposuction. Is this area of my stomach ever going to improve (still swollen?) or are these abs? They are hard underneath but folding when I sit down.I have been doing massages forever.

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @cantstopwontstop, thank you for your question and showing you pictures. It is important to take into account several aspects among which is the surgical technique applied, and to evaluate if there is something else at a systemic level to make you still swollen. The best course of action is to consult one or several board certified plastic surgeon for more information and options tailored specifically to your needs. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez, MD FACS.

George Bitar, MD · Answer

You are essentially at your final outcome at this point.  It appears that you had high-definition liposuction, trying to highlight your abdominal muscles.  With significant removal of the fat, the underside of the skin can scar down to the muscles, creating abnormal tethering or creases.  It is a difficult problem to address and may involve a combination of trying to fill the creases with fat and removing the surrounding fat.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear cantstopwontstop,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

At nine months post op swelling has resolved and it is unlikely that you will notice further changes.  Your photos demonstrate nice abdominal contours.  I encourage you to discuss any concerns you have with your surgeon as she/he is most familiar with the details of your surgery and how you've been progressing through recovery.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

At nine months your results have been final for a long time. you are not swollen and these are your final results.
To make an assessment on the outcome of an operation we need to see before and after pictures. If you don’t have those and ask your sergeant to forward the ones they took. it looks to me like your surgeon may have attempted to do edging or high definition Liposuction. this is a fairly popular current way of doing liposuction where muscle intersections are over treated to the point of virtually removing all of the subcutaneous fat while leaving some fat to mimic looking like muscle definition. 
Personally I am not a fan of high definition a.k.a. etching type liposuction.
It does not look natural on most people and it is extremely difficult to correct if patients are unhappy with the outcome.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of carefully choosing providers before having liposuction. Delivering consistent quality liposuction results is more difficult than most people believe and this includes plastic surgeons.
Substantial number of plastic surgeons are not particularly good at liposuction and the variation in outcomes between different surgeons is quite astonishing.
Being board-certified with overall good reputation is insufficient to confirm someone has mastered liposuction.
Follow up with your provider or seek a second opinion consultation. For proper a second opinion consultations patients should come prepared with copies of their before and after pictures and a copy of your operative report.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

9 month after liposuction and still swollen, will this improve? (photos)

Answers (5)

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