It can be done if enough healing has occurred.
Liposuction is meant to be a permanent fat-removal method. However, things in life are not always so straightforward. We at Lin Europe Clinic frequently hear patients say: “Can I have liposuction twice on the same area?” Maybe you want to know it because of your fluctuating weight, an unsatisfactory result, or you just want to have a more concise figure. Actually, rereading the message on the website tells you that “revision liposuction” or “secondary liposuction” is a common procedure here at the clinic.
Nevertheless, a second liposuction is not the same as the first time in terms of simple retrieval. The area treated with liposuction on the body has undergone changes. The presence of scar tissue, changes in blood supply, and reduced skin elasticity make the operation more difficult. This means that a talented and skilled surgeon who has specialized equipment is needed to achieve a smooth and safe result. Thus, this article talks about the difficulties that secondary liposuction may present and gives you some ideas about whether you are a candidate for this kind of operation.
What Makes People Go for the Second Surgery?
In general, patients’ reasons for second liposuction can be divided into three categories. The most frequent reason that people want a second liposuction is the issue of under-correction. If a doctor is overly cautious during the operation and wants to avoid irregularities at all costs, he leaves the patient with more fat than the patient himself may choose. Perhaps you most likely could not get your stomach as flat as you wished or your legs still touch each other. So, in this case, the second time, the doctor could simply get rid of that layer of leftover fat and help you have the “snatched” figure you had in your mind.
The other reason is that asymmetry or irregularities may be a reason for a second surgical procedure. If you identified the cause of your first surgery leaving uneven hips or a dent in one of your thighs, then you will definitely have to go for a correction surgery. This is the way that we worked for the area as a sculptor fixing a clay model, making some additions in some places (fat grafting), and shaving down the high spots.
Another cause can be identified as weight gain and the corresponding greater number of fat cells. Although fat cells are removed permanently, the remaining ones can expand, and hence they will store more fat. After your first surgery, if you have put on a big portion of weight, the area that was treated can bulk up again. A second round of surgery can bring your contours to the previous state, but we always stress the importance of lifestyle changes in order to keep the result.
What is the Problem in Fibrosis (Scar Tissue)?
In the difference between the first and second liposuction, the textural change of the fat is the biggest one. Fat in a “virgin” area (an area that has never been surgically touched) is soft, buttery, and very easily sucked out. After liposuction, the body is healed by forming internal scar tissue, called fibrosis.
When a doctor tries to gain access into an already treated region, they face the fibrous network that is a scar tissue. The tissue feels really dense and resistant thus the doctor would find it very hard to move the cannula (suction tube) smoothly. If the surgeon tries to apply too much force to push the standard cannula through this fibrosis, it is likely to cause bleeding, bruising, and unevenness in the result. This is why doing a revision liposuction requires a longer time and more physical effort as well as precision on the part of a surgeon.
Technology Is Indispensable: VASER and Ultrasound
Scar tissue makes fat difficult to extract, so using traditional mechanical liposuction for revisions is often considered too risky. We, at Lin Europe Clinic, regard vaser (Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction) as a non-negotiable in these cases. The innovative vaser technology uses ultrasonic sound waves to melt down the fat and also to disintegrate the fibrous scar tissue so the suction can be done smoothly.
Because the fat is dissolved and the scar tissue is softened, the surgeon can extract that component of the body in a gentle way without causing trauma to the surrounding tissues. It leads to the creation of an even surface with the least bruising possible. If you plan on having a second procedure, it is advisable that you look for such a clinic which uses ultrasound technology because it is considered the best method to handle scar tissue.
Importance of Time: The 6-Month Rule
Being patient is important in case you want to return to the surgeon for the second time. You cannot legitimately be so upset about the swelling right after 1 month that you cause yourself to get another surgery immediately. For all the swelling to go down and for the scar tissue to soften, your body needs to take 6 to 12 months after the first operation at minimum.
Performing an operation when the tissues are still inflamed can lead to complications. For example, the surgeon would not be able to evaluate the shape properly if there is still swelling in the tissues. It is also true that newly formed scar tissue is vascular (full of blood), thus the likelihood of hematoma is increased. Taking a break is like allowing the tissues to “settle”, so the surgeon will have a solid base to work with. In order for the fibrosis to be less hard, we recommend our patients to carry out deep tissue massage or lymphatic drainage before the time of the revision.
Concerns Over Skin Elasticity
Every time you take away some volume from a place on the body, you are depending on the skin that it will act as a shrink-wrap and fit a smaller shape. After you have had a second liposuction, your skin will no longer be able to retract to the same degree as before. Asking it to do so once more may be risky especially if the person is old or has bad skin tone.
In case you remove a large amount of fat during a secondary operation and do not consider the skin, sagging or wrinkling could be the result. We often use secondary liposuction with skin tightening methods such as J-Plasma (Renuvion) in these scenarios. This energy device is able to penetrate underneath the skin and cause the collagen fibers to contract immediately. In the case of very severe conditions, we might suggest cutting out the excess skin (like a mini tummy tuck or thigh lift) instead of simply suctioning more fat.
Managing Expectations for Round Two
Revision liposuction is intended to help the patient to become better but not perfect. Because of the presence of scar tissue under the skin, the outcome might not be as perfect as a primary surgery performed on a perfect candidate. Nevertheless, you have full rights to expect the achievement of significant improvements.
Healing after a secondary operation is a bit more painless on average because the nerves which are in the area may have already been dulled by the first surgery. Swelling might, on the contrary, last longer because the lymphatic drainage pathways have to make their way through old scar tissue. We advise our patients to wear compression garments for a longer time so that the skin can stick properly to the muscles closely.
Liposuction Revision in Turkey
Turkey is home to the world of corrective plastic surgery, attracting a large number of patients who need solutions by experts for challenging cases. Lin Europe Clinic in Istanbul specializes in revision liposuction. Our surgeons are very good at working with the fibrosis and are proficient in the use of vaser technology to either rectify the mistakes of others or enhance the previous results. We know how frustrated you must be when you realize that the only option is a second surgery and thus, we treat you not only with all technical skills but also with full empathy.
We want to provide you with a revision experience free of worries. Your pre-operative ultrasound scans and post-operative lymphatic massages are just a part of our care package. We combine luxury hospitality with medical excellence, including VIP transfers and 5-star accommodation. Your refinement journey in Istanbul may be trustworthy to us as we have here the right tools and the talent to make it right.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revision Liposuction
Yes, you can get liposuction twice in the same area. This procedure is known as revision liposuction and it may be used to resculpt the body or to remove leftover fat after the first surgery.
You should stay 6 to 12 months after the first operation before proceeding with another one. This period allows the swelling to subside and fibrosis (scar tissue) to soften.
An operation of secondary liposuction is typically less painful because the nerves were impacted by the first surgery. That said, the swelling may be prolonged due to the presence of scar tissue.
The skin may not retract as well after a second procedure. In order to keep the skin from hanging, your surgeon could suggest J-Plasma or other skin tightening procedures.
Yes, it is perfectly safe as long as the operation is carried out by a seasoned expert, but the chances of surface irregularities are somewhat elevated. Therefore, it is essential to select a surgeon who has experience with revision surgeries.
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Matarasso, A. (2013). Secondary liposuction: Analysis of 50 cases. Clinics in Plastic Surgery, 40(3), 321-330.
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