Liposuction & tattoos: how long do I need to wait to get liposuction after a tattoo?

Thank you for your question.If you are getting the tattoo prior to surgery, I would let the skin heal at least 3 weeks. You do not want any open areas or to increase your risk for infection. To make a better determination on what is appropriate for you I would need to see photos.

It is always best to lose weight first before any body contouring to have a better final result. Liposuction is not a weight loss solution, it is only for localized fat removal. You will not lose weight but it can give you some motivation to start the process since you will feel better in your clothes. You need to weight until the compressive garment comes off at about 6 weeks before you get the tattoo. Ask your board certified plastic surgeon who is doing your liposuction anyways.

it really doesn't matter when you do this, you can get liposuction done and do the tattoo immediately I would wait however 1-3 months when the skin tightens after lipo for the most accurate result.
You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to 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 cellfina, sculptra, 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 such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  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.  Dr. Emer.

Ideal candidates for liposuction are at or near their ideal weight and will have good skin elasticity. If you are in good health with a BMI < 30, you would be a good candidate for lipo 360. Having the low BMI enhances results and reduces the risks of complications during and after surgery. To prevent distortion of the artistic design, I would wait until you have fully recovered from the lipo before having the tattoo.

Hi, thank you for your question. Your current BMI is around 30. If you’re at your goal weight and wish to improve your contour, liposuction is a great tool. It’s not meant for weight loss and if you have excess skin, it can exacerbate that situation. My recommendation is to consider tattoos after you’ve had your liposuction done. You may need to wait 3-6 months after but this will optimize the appearance of the ink art. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over your questions and options in person. I hope this helps. Best of luck! 

Dear SoCaloceanlover,
liposuction is not a weight loss surgery, but it will improve your contours. You should reach your goal weight prior to surgery. Regarding the tattoos, every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

I appreciate your concerns and frustrations, however according to the your weight and height, your BMI is actually 29.6. I would first try adopting a reasonable diet and exercise regimen to tone and slim your body. If this approach fails to help you achieve your goals, liposuction can be an excellent option to contour areas of the body with well-defined regions of fat. However it is best to try to reach your goal weight first before seeking surgery. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area to greatly increase your chances for the best possible result. Good luck.

Liposuction will not affect your tattoo art as long as you have healed from the tattoo and there is no soreness or inflammation in the area. Liposuction can be done however it is best to have an in-office evaluation to evaluate your skin and fat. If you have too much skin, liposuction can make your skin look worse and you may need other procedures such as a tummy tuck etc to address loose skin. Since you are still young, you may be lucky enough to not need any skin removed as your skin will likely tighten up on its own after liposuction. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

You only need to be healed from surgery to consider tattoosUsually you could be ready within 4 to 6 weeks

It is hard to answer your question without pictures or an in person consultation. That being said, it is encouraged you undergo the elective procedure before getting a tattoo. Liposuction will alter the contour and laxity of the skin in the area, which will likely affect the tattoo. Furthermore, a healthy BMI is between 15 - 24, the maximum being around 30.  The higher the BMI the more room for complications. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a VASER specialist will help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.
Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee