Seven weeks post lipo 360 and concerned about skin. Please help. Will I need a tummy tuck? (photo)

Hello.
Great question. I am sorry for your post op difficulties. At 7 weeks post op it is still early to see your final results. It can take up to six months for all swelling to subside. Keep following up with your surgeon to rule out any fluid collection. 

Hi Maven,It is too soon to tell what your final results will be. You likely have swelling, which can last 3 to 6 months after your procedure. It will take 6 to 12 months to see the final outcome.I recommend following up with your physician about their suggested after care protocol. I have my patients wear compression for 3 to 6 weeks straight then overnight for 3-6 months after their procedure. I suggest adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression to help decrease swelling. To improve your final results, I also recommend adding Vanquish for further fat removal; truSculpt iD, Exilis, Forma, and Venus Legacy for additional skin tightening; and Cellutone / ZWave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance.Ultimately, if you are unhappy with your results, please speak to your physician and ensure that he/she was a full body VASER Hi-Definition liposuction physician with extensive experience in contouring and body shaping -- and not just traditional fat reduction. You can always get a revision procedure by an expert if needed. Best, Dr. Emer

Maven I appreciate your concern, however compare to your pre-operative photographs, you’re really result looks quite reasonable. It can take as long as six months for all swollen to resolve and Skin to retract to achieve your final results, especially after extensive liposuction.  After that time. If thorough evaluation can be performed deciding the need for Tummytuck. Try to stay patient and positive and follow up with your plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Thank you for you question and photos. You should wait 3-6 months from your lipo to determine full results and if any further surgery is required.

Believe it or not, even 7 weeks out from surgery, it’s too early to know whether you’ll need some type of skin tightening procedure. Your photos still reveal a substantial amount of swelling of the lower abdomen.  My recommendation is to continue to wear tight compression, consider lymphatic massage, and give it time. Hope this helps! Sam Jejurikar, MD

Hello and thank you for your question. I recommend waiting 3-6 months after liposuction and then assessing your skin laxity.  If you have excess laxity, then you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck with liposuction.  This can be done through a low and short incision, all completely below the bikini line.  The belly button can be designed to look natural and have no scars on the exterior.   Your muscles can also be plicated resulting in a flat abdomen.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  

Best wishes and good luck.


Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
 

Thanks for your question. Healing after plastic surgery is a process and the earlier parts are the most challenging.  Emotions are a big part of the process as well.   Best is to discuss specifically with the operating surgeon so that he /she can take a look. Usually it takes from 3 to 6 months to see the final results. I suggest you give it some time before making any decisions. 

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
You are still early on the healing process, it can take up to six months to see your final results, so please be patient. At the stage you are in, inflammation is normal.
If you have any concerns, please follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

It can take 6 months or longer for all the swelling to go away. Lipo does not tighten the skin too much and if you feel you have excess skin or weak muscles then a tummy tuck might be reasonable.

Hello and thanks for the question. It is much too early in your recovery phase to assess if you’d need a tummy tuck. You have definitely benefited from the procedure and you will continue to see improvements over the next 6 months provided that you maintain healthy habits. At this phase most patients resume their exercise regimens to enhance your results.