21, F, should I ask for revision? Thoughts on results? (Photos)

Question

I am a 21(f) who got liposuction earlier this year. I had some stubborn stomach fat I had always been self conscious about, but I am a college athlete so knew it wasn’t just there because I’m lazy. My surgeon said he’d do lower stomach and flanks. I truly do see a difference but am unsure if my expectations were too high. It’s been almost 4 months. Should I ask for a revision? Are my results the best it’s going to get or should I go back? First 2 pic is before. Would revision equal more contour?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear yellowsunflower25,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You appear to have gotten good results in the areas treated. You might want to add your upper abdomen. An examination is needed to see if residual fat is internal and not treatable by liposuction, or external to your muscle. go back to your surgeon and discuss your concerns.  Also, make sure to check your weight to see if you have gained or lost since surgery.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

So far it looks like you have good results from your surgery.  It can take up to six months to see your final results.  If after that time you would like further liposuction you can return to your surgeon for an evaluation.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Best to virtual consult with.. I think aggressive lipo sculpture is needed. Fee $6,000. Your posted photos help but many questions still left to answer.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear yellow,
Your liposuction results look great so far.  It will take at least 6 months to see your final results, so don't lose patience.  At that time your surgeon will likely take measurements and photos to demonstrate the improved new you.  Good luck!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

From your limited pictures your liposuction results look excellent.
You were indeed a great candidate for the procedure and it appears the procedure was done very well.
One thing to consider is your weight. Patients often gain weight after high-volume liposuction. it’s very common for people to come back six months after the procedure and when they get on the scale they weigh exactly the same amount they did before the operation. my best guess is he probably had 2 1/2 L of fat removed which would be about 5 pounds. gaining 5 pounds can have a substantial negative impact on what the final results look like. Weight gain after liposuction is more likely to add to visceral fat.
To measure the thickness of your subcutaneous fat layer but your skin under gentle tension by pulling on it with one hand then take your other hand and gently press against the skin until you feel the underlying muscle wall. it’s a very gentle touch and you do not need to push hard.
I’m guessing before the procedure your subcutaneous fat layer on your mid abdomen was close to 2 inches. no it’s probably about half an inch.
The amount of change possible with Liposuction stops at removing fat.
Contouring cannot be done beyond what’s possible from fat removal.
Body contour is made up primarily by musculoskeletal structure but there are multiple variables that contribute.
In regards to just the front of the abdomen there are four variables that determine what it looks like. These are skin laxity, excess subcutaneous fat, muscle separation from pregnancies and visceral fat.
I think you should be happy with your outcome.
If there’s more work to be done it’s probably you who should be focusing on keeping your way down.
If you don’t know your exact weight at the date of surgery then you can always call and ask your surgeon because it’ll be in your medical record.
It’s a good idea to get a copy of your operative report all before and after pictures taken by your surgeon. Having proper before and after pictures taken using the same angles lighting body position etc. is the best way to assess the outcome of a procedure. It’s also helpful to see results from different angles.
Secondary Liposuction can deliver about 25% of what the first procedure was able to accomplish.
This is under normal circumstances when well done normal liposuction was performed.
25% is not true for everyone and in some cases the primary procedure was done to aggressively leaving people disfigured.
I would say your results are above average and you did a fairly good job choosing a provider who could deliver quality liposuction results.
Check your weight and make sure you are at least 5 pounds lighter than your weight on the day of surgery.
If not reduce your weight to at least 5 pounds below your pre-surgery weight and take pictures to see if you think it helped.
Even a small weight loss can help Liposuction results blossom.
Doctors go to medical school not magic school.
If you read some of my other posts answering patients questions on this website you’ll see that I’m actually quite harsh on judging other providers.
I believe a substantial number of plastic surgeons lack substantial skill when it comes to deliver and consistent quality Liposuction results and many patients end up looking worse having this procedure.
You clearly look much better than before and I don’t think anybody would question that the procedure gave you a nice improvement.
That is what Liposuction does when done correctly it gives a nice improvement.
Every once in a while we get jaw-dropping results and it’s those one in a 100 or one in a 1000 results that seems to circulate the Internet over and over and over just like occasional disfigured bad outcomes sometimes does.Talk to your provider and see what he says.
There’s no clear indication for a revision. I don’t think you would find having a second round of liposuction makes all that much difference.
At this point successful weight loss I’ll be even 5 pounds will have more of a drastic impact because it will affect reduction of visceral fat.
Good luck,
Mats Hagstrom MD

21, F, should I ask for revision? Thoughts on results? (Photos)

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