Liposuction for Upper Abs After Tummy Tuck?

Most traditional techniques for abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) tighten the muscular layer over the muscles in the upper and lower abdomen (we call this plication) as well as remove the lower loose skin (below the belly button) from the abdomen. Often, some liposuction is performed on the flanks and hips, but there are safety reasons as to why too much liposuction done in the upper abdomen can possibly affect the blood supply of the skin, for this reason many surgeons don't do a lot of thinning or liposuction at the time of the tummy tuck.
I tell all my patients that undergo a tummy tuck procedure that there is a possibility of a "2 stage procedure" with a 1 hour upper abdominal liposuction that I routinely schedule 3 months after the tummy tuck to further contour the upper abdomen.
I think it's great if you can lose weight with diet and exercise but even then not every patient will get contour improvement specifically in the upper abdomen (epigastrium). The good news is that you have come through the bigger part of the procedure, the tummy tuck, and even if you decide to have further contouring in the upper abdomen with liposuction to "bring your abdomen back into balance", it would likely be an outpatient procedure with a rapid recovery.
Hope this helps!

Hello tamipooh. Thank you for your question regarding liposuction for your upper abs after a tummy tuck. It's great to hear that you're pleased with your lower abdomen results. For the upper abdomen, VASER Hi-Def liposuction can be an excellent option. We often perform this type of liposuction after tummy tucks to address any remaining fat and to achieve a more chiseled appearance.

VASER Hi-Def liposuction is specifically designed to create a more sculpted and defined look by targeting and removing fat with precision. This technique can help you achieve the contour and definition you desire in your upper abs.

As for timing, it's generally recommended to wait about six months after your tummy tuck before undergoing additional procedures like liposuction. This allows sufficient time for your body to heal and for swelling to subside, ensuring the best possible results.

In the meantime, continue with your diet and exercise regimen to see if you can achieve the desired results naturally. If you're still not satisfied after giving it some time, VASER Hi-Def liposuction could be a great solution.

Good luck with your journey, and I hope this information helps you achieve the look you desire.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Hi there-
I think there are really two questions here... the first is why this upper abdominal bulge is present in the first place. It may be that you are correct in your assumption that this is fatty tissue, and if this is the case, liposuction should successfully put the finishing touches on the result for you. It is important to know that this is, in fact what is causing the appearance you are noticing, though, because the other possibility is that you have a different problem that would require different management.
Of course, the only way to know for sure is to visit you surgeon for an exam. He/ she will also be able to advise you on the timing of the liposuction if needed- as the timing will depend on his/her comfort level with the blood supply to your abdomen after the tummy tuck (and he/she will be the only one with the necessary understanding of your tummy tuck to be able to answer this question).
Pay a visit to your surgeon and see what advice he/she gives you.

I would weight about 4-6 months for the swelling to completely resolve before having any lipo performed.  You obviously would also want all the incisions to have completely healed as well before performing the liposuction.
Good luck.

Speak with your physician to find out if he already did some liposuction in this area and if the problem is really more laxity of the skin than it is residual fat deposition (lipodystrophy).

Having laxity of the skin in the upper portion of the abdomen after a tummy tuck is not unusual since most the pull is on the lower half of the abdomen. In some instances ,the laxity of the upper skin can be treated at the same time as the tummy tuck or at a later time through an incision in the inframmary crease of the breast ,where the upper abdominal skin is mobilized and sutured to the deep anchor tissue over the surface of the ribs with permanent sutures. I call this an "upper abdominal lift" and it has worked quite well for my patients.

Thinning out the fat in the upper portion of the abdomen during a tummy tuck, can compromise the blood supply to the abdominal flap so you may need some suctioned once the flap has healed. As a rule of thumb, most plastic surgeons will suction an area until the thickness of the skin on a pinch test is one-to fingerbreadths.