Fat or swelling? 6 months after TT. Should I be happy with the results and give it a year to see if the bulge goes away? (Photo)

Question

I am 6 months post extended TT with lipo. I am still not 100% happy with my results. I have a noticeable bulge and like pooling in lower belly. When I sit it hangs over. My surgery was drainless and compression was not used per my doctors orders. Should I be happy with results and give it a year to see if bulge goes away? Or should lipo fix it? Pics attached .

Albert Ko, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question! Your before and after photos are amazing! I believe you have had a great result. That being said, there is room for a minor revision. Without seeing you in person, it is hard to determine what the extent of the revision would be. I imagine you might need some additional liposuction and possibly more skin removed. Some factors that need to be evaluated are: is the area you are concern about soft or is there some hardness left, have you tried lymphatic drainage massage, and is there enough skin to be removed. I recommend you make an appointment with your surgeon and explain what you are unhappy with and see if he/she is willing to revise it. Good luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Sincere494465,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is 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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD · Answer

From the pictures, it does appear that you have some retained swelling along the lower abdomen, scar area.  Sometimes liposuction will help this.  Other times you need to revise the central scar area surgically and remove some excess tissue.  Usually you wait at least six months post surgery, although some surgeons recommend a year.  I would address this with your surgeon and see what they recommend, but you should be able to make an improvement.  I hope this helps.

Peter D. Geldner, MD · Answer

Thanks for your questions and photos. Most of the healing after a tummy tuck is complete after six months. Some changes take longer. Based solely on your photos, it looks like liposuction or some skin removal might be a good idea. I would return to your plastic surgeon and express your concern.

Geuris Cruz Quiroz, MD · Answer

Thanks for your questions and sorry to hear that you are not happy with your results. 
In your case, as your doctor specified no compression needs to be used Contact your doctor regarding your results, and he/she can tell you if you are still dealing with swelling or is remaining fat. 
Good luck!

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

An examination is needed to see if you have some residual fat which can now be treated with liposuction, or if you have some residual skin which can be excised as a mini mini in the office. Go back to your surgeon and discuss your concerns.

Michael S. Kluska, DO · Answer

On occasion, this can happen, following tummy tuck, when too much fat is left behind above the incision line. That being said, this is easily treatable, with touchup liposuction, combined with a scar revision and a procedure that takes less than one hour.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

From your photos it appears you had a nice improvement from your before photos, but a revision could give you further improvement.  At this time most of your swelling has resolved, but you won't see your final results for a few months yet.  At that time you could consider a little liposuction or further skin removal to get you closer to your surgical goals.

Daniel Urias, MD · Answer

Sincere494465 I congratulate you on your transformation and journey. It’s unfortunate that your not 100% happy with your results. At 6 months you should have no more major changes to your shape. It can take up to one year for all your swelling to be gone, but over half of your swelling should be gone by 2 months. Based on the photos and without a physical exam to assess the area of concern, it appears that your lower abdomen could benefit from liposuction. However I am afraid that a revision may be best to get the result your looking for.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Based on the posted photos you had a very conservative skin/fat excision in your TT. I recommend full TT scar revision with lipo of mid/upper abdomen. Fee $8,000+/-. Best to virtual consult with......

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