Is This Swelling, A Missed Area, or "Final" Result? (photo)

Question

I'm 2 mos from abdominal VASER under G.A. 700 cc were removed. I'm 5'7 & 155 lbs. I asked my doc this week if the flab (see pic) pinched is swelling or fat, and she said there shouldn't be much swelling @ 2 mos & said it was excess skin from kids & sticks out from stretched diastasis. It seems like fat to me. I also have a dimpled area under my BB in which she said might smooth out. My pre/post measurements are: waist 33/33, BB 35/35, pooch 38/36. Is there any hope for better results?

Howard Webster, MBBS (Hons), FRACS · Answer

Hi there

	At 2 months there will be a little swelling left, but the skin is what it is.  You are close to but not quite at a final result. Fat removal does not tighten skin regardless of the method used.

	I suggest exercise and be patient, and at 6 months post treatment re assess yourself as you will have your final result at that time for sure. You will need to be the judge as to whether the improvement you have experienced from the treatment is sufficient for your needs.

	Good luck.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

It is possible that you may require additional treatment. An ideal  #candidate for Vaser Liposuction is a person in good health who seeks a minimally invasive way to remove stubborn fat with less downtime than traditional #liposuction.  Vaser is ideal for those seeking improved definition of muscles and contouring.  Those who seek increased sculpting of are ideal vaser lipo candidates.
There are three types of #Vaser Lipo. Each benefit patients differently depending on their needs. Vaser Lipo  is capable of removing fat from resilent areas providing a smoother and slimmer results. It is common for reducing love handles, extra skin along the bra line or flanks on many female patients. Additionally, it is often applied to the reduction of male breast surgeries, called gynecomastia surgery. Meanwhile, Vaser Hi-Def  targets both deep and superficial fat cells which is found around muscle tissue. This is suggested to tone and defined rather than reduce fat when not necessary. Finally, Vaser #4D, although similar to Vaser Hi-Def works well with the existing muscle tissue.. However, it results in more natural appearing definition to those areas, being treated. Vaser 4D is often applied to treating abdominal region to improve definition.  Additionally, it's not uncommon for Vaser Liposuction to combined with fat transfer which removes and transfers fat to another area of the body.However, depending on the degree of extra skin and/or fat following vaser may determine if further treatment and perhaps a different treatment may be required as a revision. As with all cosmetic surgery, results will be rewarding if expectations are realistic. Typically, it's best to wait 6  to 12 months depending on the reason for #revision. It's suggested that you begin by consulting with your doctor or a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options in greater detail.

Jeffrey LaGrasso, MD · Answer

Typically I tell my patients that the majority of edema is gone by 8 weeks after the surgery.  That is not all of the edema, but about 70 %.  It takes up to 6 months for all the macroscopic swelling to be resolved and up to a year for all of the microscopic swelling to be resolved.  I typically wait till after 4-6 months to determine if a touch-up procedure is needed.  Based on your photos I think there is more fat that can be removed, as I am extremely aggressive and like to sculpt out the abdominal area.  You need to wait till all of the scar tissue has resolved before you re-operate or it will be extremely difficult to remove the fat.  You may want to try some noninvasive treatments to remove fat as it may get you the result you need without having to do further surgery.

Vivek Bansal, MD · Answer

You should wait until 6 months for a more critical assessment.  If you have a diastasis, only a TT will address that.  Otherwise, you will have a bulge, and this is just a loose muscle, not fat.

Guido P. Gutter, MD · Answer

Overall you have a nice result at two months. It may improve further.

	Should "extra skin" and "bulging of your belly" (diastasis of you abdominal muscles) be an issue you may need to consider abdominoplasty / tummy tuck. Liposuction only addresses  fat tissue!

	Two months after surgery is a good time to assess and discuss your result with your surgeon and to inquire about possible options if desired or needed.

Is This Swelling, A Missed Area, or "Final" Result? (photo)

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Is This Swelling, A Missed Area, or "Final" Result? (photo)

Answers (8)

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