Am I at risk for loose skin after liposuction? (photos)

Question

Hi, I recently had a consult with my doctor for my lipo with ultrasound. He said there is a risk I'll have loose skin. I'm 23 years old right under 5ft 6 inches and about 135 pounds. Based on my pictures am I at risk? I don't want a tummy tuck

Miguel Mota, MD · Answer

Excellent question! Everyone is different, and there is always a risk of loose skin. This is usually not an issue with younger patients that are not overweight like yourself, especially when using Vaser Lipo. These devices like, Vaser and or J-plasma really do help avoid loose skin after lipo.

Younger patients have more and better collagen, and this also helps avoid loose skin. Older patients have less collagen and looser skin even before lipo, so Traditional Liposuction will make it looser.

Not all patients qualify for lipo. For example, if a patient has too much fat, it probably means she has a lot of skin as well, therefore, “lipoing” out the fat will leave behind plenty of skin, hence loose skin after lipo.

There are plenty energy assisted lipo techniques that help with skin contraction and enhance results. These should be used on all patients that want to avoid skin laxity.

You do not need a TT and you will have great results with Vaser Lipo!
 
Best if luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota

Yily De Los Santos, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures. I would recommend you liposuction with BBL for betters results. If you're willing to travel, Surgeons in the Dominican Republic have experience and very high standard of excellence when it comes to plastic surgery. I'm positive you can get what you're looking for

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your tummy and whether you will have loose skin after liposuction. From your brief history and pictures, without a thorough physical examination, I do not think you will have loose skin after liposuction. The reason I do not think you’ll have loose skin after liposuction is because of your age, the absence of stretch marks, the absence of a history of massive weight loss, and the absent history of pregnancies. You should not be left with excess skin due to the above facts. Your skin should recoil and shape nicely after your procedure. After a liposuction procedure, it will be important for you to wear your garment for at least six weeks. In my opinion, it would also be wise to embark upon lymphatic massage after your liposuction session. Therefore I would suggest liposuction and I would not be overly concerned about loose skin after the procedure.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Jonathan Amspacher, MD · Answer

When you’re young and don’t have a lot of excess weight you have a lower risk of loose skin, but you have a little higher risk of contour deformities (lumps bumps or divots). You would probably want to go to someone who follows the SAFE liposuction protocols. This stands for Separation Aspiration and Fat Equalization. This three step technique helps maximize the amount of fat removed while minimizing the risk of postop lumps/bumps and divots. It is more work and takes more time but is worth it for the better chance at a good outcome. Best of Luck on Your Journey,Dr. A.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best. The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heats the skin with radiofrequency devices such as Renuvion (J-Plasma), InMode BodyTite, and ThermiRF to heat the undersurface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HI-DEF VASER Liposuction and can only be done by a well-trained body contouring specialist. At the same time, fat should be harvested and purified, with PRP and stem cells added, and then injected into muscles, indentations and cellulite to get body shaping and contouring. For a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), we inject the fat into 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 a combination of QWO or Cellfina, 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: tummy tuck/abdominoplasty for lower abdominal skin; breast lift for excess breast skin; and/or a brachioplasty for loose arm skin.

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. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

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. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, it is not always predictable whether skin will completely retract after liposuction. In your case, based on these photos and short of in person evaluation, it is not likely that you will have loose skin after liposuction. It takes at least 6 months after surgery to find that out. Good luck.

Gregory Lakin, MD · Answer

Based on your age and photos you do not look like you will have problems with skin laxity after liposuction. Although, an in person consultation is best or a FaceTime consultation showing you pinching and moving the skin will help confirm. Good luck!

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Based on these photos, you will not develop loose skin with proper liposuction technique. You are young and do not have significant skin laxity. You will have a great result. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to deliver your ideal result. I hope this helps.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Queen1998,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like you would benefit from liposuction. 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

Nancy de Kleer, MD, FRCSC (Plast) · Answer

The best results from liposuction occur when the skin has good elasticity.   After the fat is removed, it is ideal if the skin will go right back into place, however if it is already loose skin, it may become looser. 
Aging, pregnancies,  fluctuations in weight and genetics all play a role in how elastic our skin is. 
Based on your photos and your age it is very unlikely you will have loose skin after the procedure.