What Causes Lumps After Liposuction?

Im 2 weeks Liposuction post-op and have been trying to get a straight answer about the lumps. I have hard marble sized lumps and one is long--the size of a small finger. What are they? How did they occur? Are they because of a poor job? Will they go away?

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by tamaraitsmyname

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Lumps can be several things

Two weeks post op is very early in the recovery phase of liposuction. There is still a significant amount of swelling and tissue inflammation in the healing process. As the other surgeons have expressed there can be fluid collections. But also fat is different everywhere. This is one of the theories behind cellulite. Fat can be different even in the same area of the body. So this may be fat that could not be appreciated at the time of surgery. The tumescent solution often masks the... more

Two weeks is very early after liposuction

You are still very early after your procedure. A lot of changes are still going to take place. Some irregularities are normal at this stage and will resolve with time. Make sure you are wearing your garment and that it fits you properly. This will help shape the skin and minimize fluid collections under the skin. Speak with your surgeon about these areas and see what he suggests.

Lumps after liposuction

Lumps after liposuctin can be from areas of under resection, it can be fluid, it can be differential swelling. Sometimes massage can "even" it out a bit. Review this with your doctor.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Most likely, tiny collections of fluid.

Hi! This does not mean that your surgery was poorly done. These little lumps can happen, and they are usually small collections of liquid. In Manhattan, we send patients for lymphatic drainage massage a few days after liposuction. Massage can prevent or treat these little lumps. So that is what I would recommend for you.

Liposuction and healing causes lumps

In liposuction, it is more important to leave a smooth bed of tissue and remove less than it is to removal all the fat and leave the skin to contract. Our skin has limits in its ability to lay smooth following fat removal. Think of your bed quilt or comforter. When pulled tight, it lays flat even with sheets or blankets wrinkled. Now, remove the comforter and put a sheet on over the top of the blankets. Unless everything is pulled tight and perfectly smooth, you will see the contour... more

Patience after surgery

Lumps are part of the healing process after liposuction. Areas of increased inflammation, collections of fluid, and so forth are by-products of the procedure. Almost always, if the procedure has been done correctly, they vanish. It may take several months, however. Compressive garments, in my opinion, seem to help. But the healing process is takes time and there is little you can do to change that.