Took too little fat out? 1300 but others had 3000 to 4000 (Photo)

Question

ive lost 60 lbs and now I'm180, height 5'7". Since I am only wanting to lose another 15lbs, the doctor said doing lipo now was ok. I had lipo on my abdomen today and will do flanks tomorrow. When changing my bandages I freaked out because other peoples' "day 1 results" show much more improvement than what I have. Others reported 3000-4000 ccs wereremoved but I only had 1300 removed. Should more ccs have been removed? Should I bring it up at my tomorrow appt or wait and allow for more healing?

Ajay Mahajan, MD, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

Unfortunately, you have quite an overhanging apron and no amount of liposuction is going to give you a satisfactory result as you will be left with loose hanging skin that will be worse than what you started with. You do need a lipo-abdominoplasty which helps address both the excess fat as well as the skin. Liposuction only is for patients who have some excess fat and young elastic skin that can potentially retract. Also, one cannot compare volumes removed between patients as we do not aim to take out a certain volume, we aim to leave behind a certain thickness of subcutaneous fat that will drape your countours well. On the other hand, it is way too early to assess your results as it will take a few months for the swelling to settle.

Lee E. Corbett, MD · Answer

1300cc may be all that was able to be removed from the front of your abdomen. It is impossible to say without an in-person exam. And you cannot compare your self to another patient who had 3000 or 4000 cc removed. If is the lower hanging skin that bothers you a tummy tuck will be necessary. Liposuction alone will never remove or improve that.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

You have severe skin laxity and removing the fat is often not enough. The end point for me at least is the contour feel and whether or not fat is coming out easily anymore in the tubing as I suck.  All the fat under the skin can not be removed with liposuciton and if done to aggressively can cause skin damage.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Few presented issues! #1. Doing 3 to 4 liters of liposuction under local anesthesia very difficult and foolish!. #2. Appears as only 1 liter pure fat removed. #3. Bet your surgeon? was NOT a boarded PS. #4. Going the cheap way offers you a longer recovery with dis satisfaction of results. #4. You really needed a full TT with hip lipo. Lesson learned.. BTW whom dd your liposuction- a clinic or center with hired docs?

Carlos Recio, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photos. It is a pleasure to answer your question.  You have loose excess skin over your abdomen that would not tighten on its own after liposuction alone. In my experience I would have recommended a Tummy Tuck with liposuction as well. The Tummy Tuck flattens the abdomen by removing extra fat and skin, and tightening muscles in your abdominal wall. Tummy tuck is often performed after pregnancy or weight loss, when the skin has become stretched or saggy. It is the most effective procedure for men and women to get a flat stomach. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

The problem isn't how much fat was taken but the fact that with your overhang and roll of skin, lipo alone will never give a great result. Only a full tummy tuck can do that. Please discuss with your surgeon.

Took too little fat out? 1300 but others had 3000 to 4000 (Photo)

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