How long is the minimum I should wait between liposuctions in unrelated places (like chin, then stomach)?

Question

I'm in good health and relatively young.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear bumblebeebee,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you 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

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

For unrelated areas, the minimum wait is usually based less on the body part and more on how fully you have recovered from the first procedure. Small chin liposuction followed by a larger area such as abdomen is different from two large-volume liposuction sessions. Even when you feel well, your surgeon wants swelling, bruising, inflammation, blood count, fluid balance, and anesthesia recovery to be back to a safe baseline.

A practical minimum is often around 6 to 12 weeks for a small first procedure and a modest second procedure, but many surgeons prefer closer to 3 months, especially before abdominal or larger-volume liposuction. If the areas overlap, if revision planning is involved, or if there were healing issues, waiting 6 months or longer may be better. The safest answer should come from the surgeon doing the second procedure after they examine you and review the details of the first surgery.

Morad Askari, MD, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your question. On average, waiting for a minimum of 3 months between liposuctions is recommended. However, the time can vary based on your surgeon, the areas, and their policies. If you had liposuction in a small area, such as the chin, and now want your stomach done, the time can potentially be reduced. Remember that large areas, such as the stomach, back, arms, etc. require a more extended recovery time than smaller ones, such as the chin.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. 
You could have these areas done at the same time, making it much easier for you for recovery. Schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon  to discuss your options. Best wishes!

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You need to wait at least two weeks between each procedure. If you have several areas treated at once, you may need to wait 4 weeks.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You should be able to have liposuction on both areas mentioned on the same surgical day, so no need to wait in between.  If you are wanting to do them in stages you shouldn't have to wait long at all- a few days to a few weeks depending on the surgeon's protocol.  You may investigate if liposuction of the smaller area can be performed under local anesthetic in the surgeon's office.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

There’s no need to weigh any particular amount of time between liposuction in different areas unless you need time to recover from any one of the procedures.
High-volume liposuction procedures will leave people swollen and bruised and sore and this may be a less than ideal time to be having a second procedure.
We sometimes do split liposuction cases two days apart for patients who need more than 5 L of fat removed.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Jose A. Munoz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!The amount of fat removed during submental liposuction is relatively small (when compared to the amount of fat usually removed during truncal liposuction). Most surgeons will perform liposuction of both areas together in one sitting.If, for some reason, the procedures must be split up, one can proceed with a second procedure in a week or two if postoperative blood studies are within normal limits. Best wishes...

How long is the minimum I should wait between liposuctions in unrelated places (like chin, then stomach)?

Answers (8)

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