Are Wrinkles and Lumps Normal After Lipo?

Question

I had lipo 6 months ago. I have excess skin (which looks like a fat roll) above my belly button. Below my belly button my skin is tight but, it is wrinkled and I have lumps. Im not happy with the appearence of my tummy. Is there anything that I can do to fix this?

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Preoperatively, if there is inelastic skin noticed, than the patient is told that a skin resection abdominoplasty may be needed. Possibly, however, the roll over the belly button may be fat that was not aspirated sufficiently and when the fat below and the sides of the umbilicus is removed, the fat above can push around and hang over. You should see your surgeon to have them evaluate what you need. If there is excess fat then liposuction can be done in a very small or localized way and Thermage external radiofrequency treatment may improve the wrinkled skin. You should see a board-certified plastic surgeon, if you haven't already, to determine if an abdominoplasty is in order.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

From your descrition it sounds like a tummy tuck should have been considered. It is so tempting to choose the quick and easy liposuction option over the more invasive tummy tuck procedure, but they aren't interchangeable. I don't know what version of lipo you had, but I am starting to see a lot of patients in your situation, most of whom were offered a laser lipo procedure with promises that it would tighten the skin and avoid the need for a tummy tuck. Sorry you are in that situation but more lipo seems unlikely to help.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Yes, you may need a tummy tuck. Liposuction only removes excess fat. It does little to eliminate redundant skin. At 6 months the vast majority of the skin tightening and scar tissue should be stable ( not truly complete until 2 years).

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Wrinkles and irregularities after liposuction can develop.  Sometimes the irregularities can be corrected with massage only and still others may need a revision. If the skin is wrinkling, and loose, you may need a skin excision procedure.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

I have seen adds from dermatologists that say that 90% of people can have liposuction (laser especially) and avoid a tummy tuck.  I believe this is a huge disservice to patients and what we are seeing now is a growing number of people just like you who were "sold" on this concept only to be left with a problem that can only be solved by getting the tummy tuck you needed in the first place.

	Excess and lax skin WILL NOT be resolved by any kind of liposuction, laser or otherwise.  A skin excision procdure like a tummy tuck is the only way to get the tight flat abdomen you were hoping to have.

Are Wrinkles and Lumps Normal After Lipo?

Answers (6)

Answer: Unhappy after abdominal liposuction

Answer: Unhappy after abdominal liposuction

Answer: More people need a tummy tuck than liposuction

Answer: More people need a tummy tuck than liposuction

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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Are Wrinkles and Lumps Normal After Lipo?

Answers (6)

Answer: Unhappy after abdominal liposuction

Answer: Unhappy after abdominal liposuction

Answer: More people need a tummy tuck than liposuction

Answer: More people need a tummy tuck than liposuction

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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.