Uneven lipo results even after 2 revisions. Is there any other procedure that could sort this out? (Photo)

Question

I had liposuction about 8 years ago and the doctor agreed to a revision due to uneven results. Following that revision the area around my belly button still looked uneven and I decided to find a better surgeon who performed a revision a year later. I still wasn't happy but left it since 2 revisions seemed enough already. Looking at it now that I am a bit older (I am 43) I feel like the unevenness is getting ever more pronounced. Is there any other procedure that could sort this out?

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

After two sessions of liposuction, there is very little fat left.  The appearance is due to loose skin and how the skin drapes around the umbilicus.  The treatment for loose skin is tightening by surgery or to a lesser extent by application of heat, e.g., RF, infrared, subcutaneous heating devices.
  Most effective would be removal of inferior abdominal skin with a tummy tuck, and depending on the degree of laxity, either a full tummy tuck or a reverse-tummy tuck for the upper skin (scars under the breast) and a lower abdominal tummy tuck.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

YES, there are ways to smooth and restore fit abdominal contour.  Because it removes only fat but doesn't tighten skin, and because abdominal skin is pliable, and because many individuals have loose abdominal skin, especially post-partum women, liposuction alone for improvement of abdominal contour is surpassed in quality of result by procedures that both thin and sculpt the abdominal  surface and tighten skin by removing all that is loose, lax, and redundant.  A well designed and  skillfully executed modified abdominoplasty will restore your snug even skin surface and will show the fit abdominal contours beneath.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

An examination is needed to be certain, but you might get a nice flat result with a tummy tuck.  I don't think a mini tuck will be enough to flatten all the excess skin.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

An in person evaluation is best, but you may want to consider a tummy tuck to smooth the abdominal contour.  It appears the issue is loose skin versus fat.  You may be a candidate for BodyTite which uses RF technology to tighten skin.  Visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Meagan assessment on the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure we need to see proper before and after pictures. If you don’t have before and after pictures then ask your previous surgeons to forward the pictures they took. If you’ve had more than one operation that did you should ideally include before, and after pictures for each of the procedures. There are two single variables determine Liposuction results. The first is the patient’s candidacy for the procedure in the first place, and the second is the scale of the surgeon. Delivering consistent quality liposuction results is more difficult than most people realize. Understanding somebody’s candidacy for the procedure is also paramount and getting a clear understanding of what the procedure can, and cannot deliver. It looks like you have some abdominal skin laxity. the case before the procedure, then Liposuction may not have been the ideal procedure if you wanted a tight abdomen. A tummy tuck may have been a better procedure in the first place. Understanding your candidacy, and how this reflects on what the procedure can, and cannot accomplish is part of having skill and experience as a provider making it clear to patients , why certain procedures are going to have inherent limitations. 
Liposuction is not going to give you tight skin on your abdomen and for women who have pregnancy related changes including a tummy tuck is a better procedure.
Without insight into what your candidacy was for the procedure in the first place, it’s hard to make an educated assessment regarding the quality of the outcome of your operation. It looks like you’ve had most of your subcutaneous fat removed and what is your abdominal skin laxity.
Consider reposting, including before and after pictures or schedule a few in person, and second opinion consultations with other plastic surgeons in your community. Per 2nd opinion consultations patients should come prepared to bring with them all sets up before and after pictures and idea later, copy of your operative reports. These can be obtained from your previous providers since they are part of your medical record.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Uneven lipo results even after 2 revisions. Is there any other procedure that could sort this out? (Photo)

Answers (5)

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