Is It Safe to Have Abdominal Liposuction if There Are Adhesions and Scar Tissue?

Certain forms of liposuction may penetrate scars more easily than others such as ultrasonic assisted lipoplasty  or PAL. However, the scars to which you refer are insdie your peritoneal cavity and liposuction is NOT performed in this space.

Any previous surgery complicates any further surgery.  However, after a full examination by your surgeon and possibly some imaging studies (CT Scan), if everything turns out to be okay, then there is no absolute contraindication to surgery.  Good luck with your procedure.

mac121,

Previous surgical scars on the abdomen do increase your potential risk of injury during liposuction.

You should discuss your situation with your board certified plastic surgeon who has general surgery experience (liposuction can be performed by various doctors that may not have sufficient surgical experience).

The risk you want to avoid is that of accidental injury to your abdomen and abdominal cavity.  Previous surgeries may have left behind openings or weaknesses in the abdominal wall that would allow the liposuction instrument to enter the abdominal cavity which would lead to unwanted injury.

Sincerely,

Martin Jugenburg, MD

Bruising and bleeding can be increased if the insertion scars go through the prior scars but if there are no hernias then there shouldn't be any significant further risk.

Hi Mac

Any number of specialties perform liposuction.  Generally, it is a very safe procedure.  However, prior surgery definitely increases the risk.  The risk that is of concern is perforation of the bowel that is adherent to the abdominal wall at the site of hernia repair.  Much depends on the nature of your hernia repair, the thickness of the fat on the abdomen etc.   While a number of surgical specialties perform excellent liposuction, you situation calls for a general plastic surgeon.  However, not any general plastic surgeon.  You really will benefit from a double boarded general plastic surgeon.  They should be boarded in general surgery and general plastic surgery.  Ideally your surgeon should devote a large portion of their practice to plastic surgery of the abdominal wall including precisely abdominal liposuction following hernia repair.  Just be aware that even general plastic surgeons have caused bowel perforation in this type of setting.  A careful and through evaluation of your particular situation will be necessary to allow your potential plastic surgeon to determine what you will need.