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How Do You Correct Too Much Fat Removed During Neck Lift
TJR in Savannah, GA asks:
“If you had too much fat removed from submental liposuction and it caused your muscle bands to show and indentations how would you go about correcting this problem? If you are a PS what would you recommend to fix something like this and what sort of reasonable expectations should a person have in terms of having a normal looking neck again? I am scared and upset so any insight would be appreciated.”
Correction of the described problem can be addressed in several different ways. Specifically it is important to really get an anatomical evaluation and overall sense of what the underlying issues are. It is not an uncommon problem/complication to have “too much fat removed in the neck area” as liposuction is a component of facelift surgery commonly. But also residual band laxity is also not too uncommon. Bands are the platysmal muscle bands that can remain lax after surgery.
A number of treatments are available including repeat platysmal band tightening. This will often times resolve the problem by itself. Other supplemental treatments include fat injections as needed if there is significant contour deformity. This procedure is less common than a simple platysmal muscle repeat tightening. Nonetheless this area can be addressed commonly and long term permanent problems is something not seen too often.
How Can I Correct This Naseolabial Fold Problem on One Side of my Face?
msmmi in sf in Pleasanton, CA asks:
2 months ago I had 4 qaud eye lift, brow lift, full facelift and lipo of the neck. I had some nasolabial folds before surgery, and the doctor assured me these procedures would correct the problem. However, the fold on one side is still there, and never seemed to get better. I feel the malar fat pad may not have been lifted as much as it should have been. I am not into fillers that don’t last, after spending all this money for a more lasting fix. what should be done?
Photo Courtesy of RealSelf.com
It is now two months after the procedure and there has been a number of procedures performed, including your eyelift and brow lift and facelift, liposuction and neck lift. These are a lot of procedures and even though it has been two months there is still some reasonable amount of healing that needs to occur. Most people desire resolution of all their swelling and healing problems by a week or a month, but essentially three and six months or more is required.
Therefore assessing the nasolabial folds is somewhat premature at this phase, but a number of things can be discussed at this time. Facelift procedures can soften the nasolabial folds, but rarely get rid of the significant concerns of the nasolabial folds. Fillers are the best answer. There are a number of fillers; the temporary ones are beneficial. If you are interested in a “lasting fix” then more permanent type fillers are helpful, including Artifill and Sculptra, as well as fat grafting. Fat grafting tends to be the best answer in many instances due to its reliability and the fact that it comes from your own body to begin with.
So the best answer to your question is to wait a little bit of time, at least three months if not six months, and assess things and consider fillers after that period of time. Fat grafting would be my first option, Sculptra would be a second answer.
Liposuction is not a Weight Loss Specific Treatment
Photo courtesy of realself.com
MixChick asks:
“I am 2 weeks post lipo I had about 3.5 quarts of fat removed from my waist,love handles,lower/upper abdomen. I had 5 liters of liquid injected into me that day. I weigh a little over my weight before the procedure. I am still swollen and lumpy specially in the abdomen area. I am very concerned about those bulges not shrinking down. I don’t look much different than prior to the surgery. I have the same width and my love handles still look a little aquared like before. Help what should I expect at 2 weeks?”
A small degree of weight loss can occur after moderately extensive liposculpture/liposuction. 3.5 quarts of fat is reasonable amount of fat removed. However, weight loss itself is not the primary goal of liposuction. The primary goal is to expertly sculpt problem areas and overall improve their appearance. It is much more important to focus on improving appearance and not to focus on weight loss. Liposuction is not a weight loss specific treatment. When dealing with weight loss the best answers of course are specifically related to lifestyle change, diet, exercise, decreasing stress and improvement of sleep patterns.
Lumps and bumps and fullness and even swelling are expected at one week, two weeks and even longer. What is really key is to be patient and understand that the end result isn’t until weeks and even months down the road. What you see is what you get more often in the three month to six month range rather than in the two to three week range. Patience is key and looking in the mirror constantly after seven to 14 days can be a bit frustrating.
