I Still Have Fat on my Stomach After my Tummy Tuck and Diastasys Repair?

Question

What is the best way to get rid of that hard fat. It's been 6&1/2 months since my surgery. I'm running and keeping my weight down but I feel like that fat covering my belly is never going away. I feel like my stomach muscles are tight but the overlaying fat is hiding them and making my look like I have a beer belly. Not attractive!!

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

If the fat is inside the abdomen (underneath the fascia, 'beer belly'), the surgeon can't reach or remove that fat and weight loss will be necessary.  Intraabdominal fat is especially bad since it is associated with heard disease and diabetes.

	If the fat is outside the abdomen and can be 'pinched', it may be accessible to liposuction. Often it's not possible to do all the liposuction the patient might need at the same time as the tummy tuck since that increases the risk of the surgery.  

	In those cases, liposuction is possible, usually several months after the tummy tuck has healed.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

fat after abdominoplasty or tummy tuck

	as noted in the other answers ,  fat within the belly needs to respond to diet and exercise.

	fat under the skin can undergo additional liposuction for contouring.

Edwin C. Pound, III, MD · Answer

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "hard" fat.  I don't get too crazy with the fat over the abdomen during a tummy tuck because I worry about damaging the blood supply to the skin.  I tell my patients that, if there is still some fat in the area after their tummy tuck, we can do a little corrective liposuction at a later time.  That may be what you will need.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

I think your photo (or direct examination) would help illustrate your concern better.  If you are bothered by fat over the muscle layer, liposuction will help with the contour.  However, if you are concerned by fat within your abdominal cavity (below your muscle layer), you may have to lose more weight.  Please talk with your plastic surgeon and share your concern; he/she can help with an action plan.  Good luck.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Despite your attempt to describe the current appearance verbally, some photos are really necessary to offer any sort of useful advice. Please consider reposting this quesion. 

	All the best.

I Still Have Fat on my Stomach After my Tummy Tuck and Diastasys Repair?

Answers (6)

Answer: Excess fat after tummy tuck

Answer: Excess fat after tummy tuck

Answer: I Still Have Fat on my Stomach After my Tummy Tuck and Diastasys Repair?

Answer: I Still Have Fat on my Stomach After my Tummy Tuck and Diastasys Repair?

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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I Still Have Fat on my Stomach After my Tummy Tuck and Diastasys Repair?

Answers (6)

Answer: Excess fat after tummy tuck

Answer: Excess fat after tummy tuck

Answer: I Still Have Fat on my Stomach After my Tummy Tuck and Diastasys Repair?

Answer: I Still Have Fat on my Stomach After my Tummy Tuck and Diastasys Repair?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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