8 months since my tummy tuck. My mons/groin area is puffy and full. Do I need Lipo? (Photos)

Question

Hello I had a tummy tuck and I am seeing a fullnes or roundness in my upper belly and in my mons / groin area looks puffy and fully is it normal to look like this ? Do I need Lipo it’s been 8 months Since my tummy tuck and 4 months since my scar revision

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

I would need to do an examination to give you any advice on whether a little liposuction might help.  You seem to have a very nice result.  Your plastic surgeon would likely be able to give you a good idea whether liposuction may help any areas of fullness you are questioning.  Good luck.

Guray Yesiladali, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

It is not unusual to notice some roundness in the upper abdomen and fullness in the mons area after a tummy tuck. This can be related to how the skin was tightened, the way tissues heal, or the natural distribution of remaining fat.
At eight months after tummy tuck and four months after scar revision, most healing has occurred, although subtle changes can still happen. If the fullness remains, additional contouring such as liposuction may help refine the result. Non invasive treatments like radiofrequency or laser based skin tightening can also provide some improvement if skin laxity is a factor.
I have also shared a detailed video where I explain these common healing patterns after tummy tuck and show examples of how they can be improved.
&mdash; Güray Yesiladali, MD

Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS · Answer

Best advice is to return back to your surgeon for a re evaluation. I will commonly thin out the subcutaneous tissue in the abdomen and mons during a tummy tuck procedure. In fact, we call the procedure a lipoabdominoplasty for this reason. As the swelling subsides, the improved contour in these areas will become apparent. Not all surgeons will perform liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck, however. It is worthwhile to have this discussion with your surgeon to see if liposuction was performed at the time of the tummy tuck as well as if they think anything else is needed.

Tuan A Truong, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is not uncommon after a tummy tuck to see areas of lipodystrophy that may not have been present previously. Depending on the technique and if liposuction was performed at the time of surgery, these areas should be brought up to your surgeon. Additionally, a good scar care regimen will help with the appearance of the scars. Good luck on your journey!

Kamol Pansritum, MD · Answer

At 8 months post-tummy tuck and 4 months after scar revision, some residual swelling or fullness&mdash;especially in the upper abdomen and mons/groin area&mdash;can still be present, depending on the extent of your previous surgery.
If your original tummy tuck did not include liposuction, it’s possible that the mons pubis and surrounding areas were not addressed, leading to the puffiness you're seeing now.
I recommend VASER liposuction to gently contour these areas with precision and minimal trauma.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The fullness in your upper abdomen may be from visceral fat (the fat around your organs).  If that is the case then losing weight should improve the contour.  The fullness near the mons should be evaluated by your surgeon.  If it is excess fat then liposuction should improve it.  You can also speak to your surgeon about scar treatments to help your scars heal favorably.

M. Mark Mofid, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there, and thank you for your question. It is not abnormal to discover fat pockets in the abdomen or the pubic area that were not immediately noticeable before the abdominoplasty. You can certainly discuss having some liposuction of those areas with your surgeon. Often times, this can be done under local anesthesia which can help reduce costs.

John Samas, MD, FACS · Answer

This is not an uncommon complaint from patients who have had a tummy tuck. If there was noticeable fat in the pubic area before surgery, it will be a lot more visible after surgery because it has been lifted and placed into a more visible location. This is why I either directly thin the area or perform liposuction there, to avoid this problem. I believe the first step should be if to just have a candid conversation with your surgeon that performed your previous surgery.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

It’s possible you have some excessive visceral fat.
Weight loss may get you a flatter abdomen.
I suggest you follow up with your provider.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

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