Is my Skin Elastic Enough for Liposuction?

Question

I am 21 years old and recently lost 40 lbs through jogging. I like my size but have some unattractive excess belly fat. I do not appear to have excess skin but do have a few stretch marks which raises concerns about my skin quality.  If I've lost 40 lbs and do not appear to have excess hanging skin, should I automatically assume I won't have a problem with skin laxity post-lipo? Also, my breasts have unattractively gone down two cup sizes since jogging; would those fat cells possibly grow after abdominal cells are removed?

David Hansen, MD · Answer

From your photo, you should have a very good result with liposuction alone and if done under local tumescent technique with the micro canulas it should run on special about $5000-6000.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. 
In this regard, I recommend you waist and back Liposculpture, getting better curves especially in the waist, improving your body contour.
Finally, I suggested take the fat we get and transfer to the buttocks and hips, to mold them and get better volume, contour and butt projection, is that we know as "Brazilian Butt Lift" (BBL).Kind regards

Elizabeth Slass Lee, MD · Answer

Firstly, congrats on your weight loss! I cannot tell from your photo how much fat you have left or what the quality of your skin is. Whether your skin will tighten after liposuction is better determined with an in person examination with a board certified plastic surgeon who has experience and training in both liposuction and tummy tuck techniques. A surgeon who can do both is best suited to evaluate which procedure is better for you. A non plastic surgeon offering liposuction cannot or should not do tummy tucks and may therefore promise results with the lipo because it is the only arrow in the quiver.
Gaining weight again may make your breasts larger, but are unlikely to make them perky.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

From the picture it is hard to tell about your skin elasticity. This can really only be determined with a physical examination in the office. However, if your skin is only moderately loose and you have excess fat, then liposuction may be a good option. If you have loose skin, then it is probably best to have a tummy tuck at the same time as your liposuction of your flanks. Good luck.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

patients of your age group typically find that the skin redrapes well after liposuction. Stretchmarks won't change. Other areas might gain more fat after liposuction if the amount of calories taken in during the day doesn't change compared to the amount before liposuction, and yes it is possible that one or the only area in which this may happen is your breasts, but it is unpredictable.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Looking at your photos is not quite the same as an in person examination.  However, you should do great with a liposuction.  Do not let anyone talk you into a tummy tuck.  This places a horrible scar across the abdomen.  Trust me it does not hide when you are not wearing clothing.  Liposuction is your best bet.  The fact that you have lost so much weight and don't have hanging skin means that you are likely to do just fine with liposuction.  
Regarding the breasts, you may benefit from a breast lift that includes an appropriately sized implant.  Recognize that this combination of surgeries is common but it does increase the risk of surgery slightly compared to having these procedures done separately.  For the liposuction you need consider seeing a dermatologic surgeon who can perform this liposuction under local anesthesia using tumescent liposuction.  The breast surgery should be performed by a board certified general plastic surgeon.  
Be certain that the surgeon spends enough time with you that you are certain he or she understands what you are trying to accomplish with the surgery.  Because you are young, it is a very good idea to bring someone with you to the consultation like your mother or a good friend who can help you stay on track with the surgeon during the consultation.  Avoid being star struck by the surgeon.  They are human and your time and desires are just as important as their time and interests.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Determining if your skin will contract following liposuction is extremely difficult. Standing up and bending at the waist, examine your abdomen and perform a skin pinch. Does the skin snap back or just hang there? See a surgeon who can conduct an examination and help you determine if you will get a better result with a tummy tuck.

Clayton L. Moliver, MD · Answer

Good job!

	Yes, an exam by a board certified plastic surgeon is best. Probably what is even better is a little more patience. You've been diligent and lost the weight. But you said "recently." Let your body adjust some more. Keep up your vigorous routine and transform it into a lifestyle - diet, excercise, spirit. You may just find that after a year your abds look just fine. Consider what some weight training might add to what you have already accomplished. Why add surgery at this early juncture in your wonderful, natural transformation.

	If you can accomplish through a healthy lifestyle what surgery 'might' accomplish, I'd choose no cut every time.

	Bottom line, your abdomen may look even better with more time and more work. Go Girl!

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD · Answer

Today liposuction can be used to recontour the body from head to toe, including the abdomen, hips, thighs, arms, buttocks, breasts, neck, jowls, back, calves ankles, and knees. New technology that's gentler and faster than ever before not only allows the removal of large amounts of fat, but also resculpts the body. 
Smart Lipo is a form of liposuction that uses laser light to liquefy fat and tighten the surrounding skin. It involves less downtime and side-effects than traditional liposuction and is particularly good for small areas of fat deposits. It also helps improve skin laxity. Sometimes a combination technique using both Thermage and Smart Lipo is best when there is moderate skin laxity. 
Thermage is a non-surgical (no incision!) treatment that can tighten skin and stimulate your body to make healthier collagen&mdash;the building block that provides structure to your skin. The procedure uses radiofrequency technology called ThermaCool&reg; that has been clinically proven to tighten and gently lift skin to smooth out wrinkles and renew facial contours. Fast and easy, Thermage requires no downtime from normal activities. 
And unlike laser treatments, Thermage can be performed on patients of all skin types. Thermage can be used all over the body, including the abdomen. In only one treatment, patients report smoothing and tightening with lasting results. Tighten and lift without surgery, injections, or downtime.

Victor M. Perez, MD, FACS · Answer

Congratulatiopns on your successful weight loss. Looking at your picture, it appears to me that you are agood candidate for liposuction, in patients like you I suggest a procedure which will promote skin thighthening at the same time, it is my opinion that Smartlipo MPX will provide the best result an it is possible to be performed with oral sedation and tumescent anesthesia only.
Good luck

Is my Skin Elastic Enough for Liposuction?

Answers (16)

More Liposuction Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (16)

More Liposuction Questions

Which Type of Liposuction Leaves the Smallest Scar?

What is the Recovery Time for Lipo of the Pubic Mound?

When Can You Exercise After Liposuction?

What Should I Expect from Drainage Fluid After Liposuction?

Would Liposuction Help Nasolabial Folds and Under Jowling?

What is an Abdominal "6-pack" Implant?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS