Diabetic lipohypertrophy on abdomen for 20+ years (Photo)

Question

I have had areas of diabetic lipohypertrophy on my lower abdomen for over 20 years - caused by lazy injecting when I was a teenager when I would forget to change my needles and would constantly inject in easy areas through the gaps in my shirt buttons when I was at school. The left hand side is a lot worse. I have stopped using these areas for injections for years but there is no improvement. I have attached photos. Would this be something that could be improved with surgery?

Alejandro Nogueira, MD · Answer

Seems a panniculectomy is ideal surgery in your case; avoids the costs and invasiveness of a full tummy tuck and still gets rid of the hanging apron. However if you wish a full tummy tuck you can also opt for it should you wish to threat the upper abdomen as well.See the link below to find few cases of my own practice very similar to yours which I had the opportunity to operate successfully on, sharing a lot of common features with the technical problem you have posted.
If you wish better grounded opinion well lit, focused and standard images have to be assessed: frontal, both lateral and both oblique views, also from underneath.
Feel free to request any additional information from me.

Michael S. Lofgren, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your question and photos.
From your photos and history it looks like you would certainly be a candidate for contouring of the abdomen.  There are a multitude of options available.  From non-invasive techniques such as CoolSculpting all the way to formal surgery.  Liposuction is a very powerful tool when it comes to removing stubborn fat.  The one caveat to consider is the contour following liposuction.  While very good at removing the fat it has a small to moderate effect in tightening the skin.  You may want to consider an adjunct to liposuction such as BodyTite or even consider a formal skin excision (mini tummy tuck) as part of the procedure.
I would recommend you have a consultation with a plastic surgeon who has multiple options available.  This way the best option for your particular body and concerns can be selected.
Best wishes.

Diabetic lipohypertrophy on abdomen for 20+ years (Photo)

Answers (2)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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

Diabetic lipohypertrophy on abdomen for 20+ years (Photo)

Answers (2)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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