I had liposuction almost 10 years ago and I have a “donut” around my stomach. what can be done to fix the unevenness? (photo)

Question

My stomach is lumpy and when I wear tight dresses you can see the weird lumps on my stomach. I haven’t noticed much of a difference with weight gain/loss.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello.
Great question. Thank you for your pictures. It appears you may benefit from a full tummy tuck procedure to give you a flat appearance. Due to your skin laxity, liposuction alone may not achieve your goals. Please visit a board certified plastic surgeon for a detailed surgical plan to achieve your desired results.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

this needs a tummy tuck with revision liposuction for the best results.
You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to 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 cellfina, sculptra, 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 such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  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.  Dr. Emer.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

Skin tightening (dermo-lipectomy, tummy tuck) is the best method for significantly smoothing abdominal skin surface irregularities after liposuction, after pregnancy, or after both liposuction and pregnancy.  Abdominal skin is naturally soft and flexible.  Removal of fat beneath skin by liposuction further loosens abdominal skin causing it to sag and creating uneven surface contour.  Tummy tuck mobilizes skin attachments contributing to irregularity, repositions skin for a smoother, tighter surface, and removes excess loose skin.  Several examples of liposuction irregularity (much worse than yours) improved by tummy tuck in our online gallery.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear CaliLove00,
I would have to examine you but it appears that this is a contour irregularity after liposuction.  This happens often when areas the undergo liposuction are not feathered appropriately. The good news is that it can be fixed and I have done so with good results before. 
While there is always a chance for contour irregularities with liposuction, someone who takes their time and uses the appropriate sized cannulas should give you a superb result.I have all my patients wear compression garments and I use multiple sized cannulas to feather out the result.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Go get liposuction again and have them do Bodytite at the same time and you will be just fine.

I had liposuction almost 10 years ago and I have a “donut” around my stomach. what can be done to fix the unevenness? (photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Uneven after liposuction

Answer: Uneven after liposuction

Answer: Liposuction with Bodytite can really help tummies in need.

Answer: Liposuction with Bodytite can really help tummies in need.

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction Revision

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I had liposuction almost 10 years ago and I have a “donut” around my stomach. what can be done to fix the unevenness? (photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Uneven after liposuction

Answer: Uneven after liposuction

Answer: Liposuction with Bodytite can really help tummies in need.

Answer: Liposuction with Bodytite can really help tummies in need.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.