Can I have abdominal liposuction after tummy tuck? (Photo)

Question

Can I have abdominal liposuction one year after tummy tuck? My doctor did not want to do it with the tummy tuck because I had had liposuction years before and he thought doing lipo at the same time would interfere with healing and results.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

Yes, abdominal liposuction can often be considered one year after a tummy tuck, but it depends on your exam and the reason for the remaining fullness. By one year, the tissues are usually well healed, and staged liposuction is sometimes safer than doing aggressive liposuction at the same time as the tummy tuck, especially if you had prior liposuction.

Your surgeon's caution makes sense. A tummy tuck changes the blood supply to the abdominal skin flap, and prior liposuction can add scar tissue and make the tissue planes less predictable. For that reason, any secondary abdominal liposuction should be conservative and performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon who is comfortable with revision body contouring.

The key question is whether the fullness is truly pinchable fat under the skin. Liposuction can help localized subcutaneous fat. It will not correct intra-abdominal/visceral fat, muscle separation, loose skin, scar thickening, swelling, or a contour problem from the tummy tuck scar itself.

At your consultation, your surgeon should check skin quality, scar position, abdominal wall tightness, any hernia or diastasis, and how much fat can safely be pinched. If the area is firm or scarred, the improvement may be more limited and the risk of contour irregularity can be higher.

So, the answer is possibly yes, but it should be planned carefully, conservatively, and only after an in-person evaluation.

Igor Burko, MD · Answer

Hello, my name is Dr Igor Burko, and I am a Plastic Surgeon at SY Aesthetics in NYC. Yes, you can do liposuction after a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). Typically, I recommend waiting 3 months to perform abdominal liposuction after a tummy tuck.

John Reilly, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,

Liposuction is safe after an abdominoplasty. Sometimes due to the scarring from the previous surgery the fat is a bit more difficult to remove but still very possible. Best of luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Firstkitty,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Generally speaking, it is possible to get liposuction one year after tummy tuck surgery. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Ryan Rebowe, MD · Answer

This sequence of procedures is not only possible but common. Because performing liposuction during a tummy tuck can lead to skin necrosis, irregularities, or other untoward outcomes, these procedures are often staged. Waiting at least 6 months but preferably a year or more would lead to the best outcomes.

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You can absolutely get liposuction done after a tummy tuck. A formal exam would be needed to determine if you are a good candidate.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Your doctor was correct. Liposuction at the same time and area of the tuck may interfere with circulation and healing. However, since healed, you can safely have liposuction in that area for excess fat.

Manuel Diaz, MD · Answer

Patient will need to rest a lot for the 10 days following the intervention. In addition, it is estimated that total recovery will not be completed until approximately 2 months after a tummy tuck, We recommend patients wait three to six months after surgery if considering liposuction.

I am Doctor Díaz, Plastic Surgeon.  I would love to help you. I perform surgeries at the CECIP Plastic Surgery Clinic, in the Dominican Republic.

Please leave us your contact number for virtual consultation or write to us at +1 (829) 554-6062. For us it is a pleasure to help you build a better body, a better life.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello, I agree with being cautious and not doing the lipo at the same time as the tummy tuck.  This could delay the healing and increase your risk for problems due to lack of blood supply.  Now that you are a year out you should be in the go to come back and add the contouring of the lipo to give you a great result.

Felix Omar Márquez, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for your question. It's not easy to answer without a physical exam. Tummy Tuck is performed regularly with Liposuction for a better result. Don't forget that you must be at your optimal weight to get the best results. Lipo is not a weight loss surgery. Go for a second opinion with a certified plastic surgeon in your area. Good luck!

Can I have abdominal liposuction after tummy tuck? (Photo)

Answers (11)

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