Hello, I had a tummy tuck with lipo July 2023. Prior to the procedure, I was told by 2 doctors to lose some weight as I was 179lbs at 5ft. Due to feeling depressed and obese, I continued my search. I found a doctor who stated that he could do the surgery without me doing the weight loss. Now 7 months post op, I am shaped like a ball and I look pregnant. My surgeon says it’s fine .I am unsure more weight loss or lipo or a revision? I am now 161 lbs. Thank you.
Answer: Plastic surgery results There are four variables that determine what the abdomen looks like. In other words, if somebody doesn’t like the way, their belly looks it is because of one or more of four different reasons. The four variables that determine what the abdomen looks like are the following. 1) abdominal skin laxity typically due to previous pregnancies or significant weight loss. 2) excess subcutaneous fat. 3) muscle separation from previous pregnancies. 4) excess visceral or contra abdominal fat. Skin laxity, and muscle separation are not contributing since you’ve already had a tummy tuck. That leaves only excess subcutaneous fat and visceral fat as being due to potential culprit. While both of them are made worse by obesity excess visceral fat is the number one reason patients have a bulging abdomen after a full tummy tuck. The only way to reduce visceral fat is through weight loss and weight loss is what you need more surgery. You don’t need more liposuction you need to lose weight. you may or may not be a good candidates for Liposuction but first and foremost you should lose weight.I think the two first plastic surgeons you spoke with served as good patient advocates. The surgeon who did your procedure should’ve made a more accurate assessment and described the inherent limitations of doing the procedure without successful weight loss first. Best, Mats Hagstrom, MD
Helpful
Answer: Plastic surgery results There are four variables that determine what the abdomen looks like. In other words, if somebody doesn’t like the way, their belly looks it is because of one or more of four different reasons. The four variables that determine what the abdomen looks like are the following. 1) abdominal skin laxity typically due to previous pregnancies or significant weight loss. 2) excess subcutaneous fat. 3) muscle separation from previous pregnancies. 4) excess visceral or contra abdominal fat. Skin laxity, and muscle separation are not contributing since you’ve already had a tummy tuck. That leaves only excess subcutaneous fat and visceral fat as being due to potential culprit. While both of them are made worse by obesity excess visceral fat is the number one reason patients have a bulging abdomen after a full tummy tuck. The only way to reduce visceral fat is through weight loss and weight loss is what you need more surgery. You don’t need more liposuction you need to lose weight. you may or may not be a good candidates for Liposuction but first and foremost you should lose weight.I think the two first plastic surgeons you spoke with served as good patient advocates. The surgeon who did your procedure should’ve made a more accurate assessment and described the inherent limitations of doing the procedure without successful weight loss first. Best, Mats Hagstrom, MD
Helpful