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How to Remove Hardened Scar Tissue 3 Years After Power-Assisted Liposuction?

asked 1 year ago by sabercut in CA
Latest answer by Jeffrey Kenkel, MD
Question viewed 2,498 times
Tags: harden, PAL, removal, scar tissue

I had liposuction 3 years ago. The doc used PAL, results were pretty poor. Overuse of garment caused scar tissue and underlying fat caused more uneveness. I followed this up with slimlipo,unevenes has reduced but scar tissue is still there. Can this scar tissue be decimated using PAL? broken up and removed. Some of it seems like fat got hardened, around existing tissue. The tissue is numb and feels like leg gone to sleep. How can this scar tissue be removed?

14 answers to How to Remove Hardened Scar Tissue 3 Years After Power-Assisted Liposuction?

+3

Scarring after liposuction

The single greatest cause for severe scarring after liposuction is aggressive liposuction.  This causes a skin-on-muscle deformity and prevents mobility of the tissues.  This can definitely to be avoided by not performing the procedure too aggressively.  It is sometimes possible to release scar tissue but this of course does not correct the underlying irregularities in fat thickness. Excessively superficial liposuction, or burns with the laser technique also... more
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

How do you remove scar tissue following liposuction?

it sounds like your situation of scar tissue 3 years after liposuction is an unusual one. It may be scar or possibly even fat necrosis that has become hard. I would try to address this nonsurgically if at all possible. Beginning with ultrasound treatments and aggressive massage. More surgery could give you even more irregularities.
Jeffrey Kenkel, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+2

Scar tissue 3 years post op

This is tough no pun intended.I would try non surgical method because anytime you cut or do surgery you are creating more scar tissue so I would try heat,massage and ultrasound to see if this tissue can be softened.
Robert Brueck, MD

Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon
+2

How to improve hard firm areas of fat after liposuction.

Firm areas of fat from scarring or fat necrosis can be treated in a number of ways.  My preferred method is to use ultrasound-assisted liposuction for its ability to break up fibrous areas.  I then use fat graft harvested from another areas to inject into these firm areas.
Robert Whitfield, MD

Milwaukee Plastic Surgeon
+2

Fibrosis after liposuction is difficult to treat.

Fibrosis after liposuction is difficult to treat.  Fibrosis is usually hardened areas of tissue which can be caused by fat necrosis, over-resection of tissue, excess tissue trauma, or unrecognized seromas (fluid collections). The best methods for treating the fibrosis is 1)prevention and 2)early detection and treatment with massage, external ultrasound, possible fat grafting, and (infrequently) steroid injections.
Richard H. Fryer, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+2

Improving hard scar tissue after lipo

Some patients need fat injections to fill in dents and others need more lipo in focal areas for under-corrected areas and some patients need both. If scar tissue is hard but not bound down to the underlying muscle the firmness may improve with deep massage, Endermolorie, Velashape, and external ultrasound. Some physicians might use injectable corticosteroids into the area and this may soften the scarebut there risks including depression!
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+2

Removal of scar tissue after two lipo procedures

You present a difficult situation. I assume your problem is in the leg, and likely distal thigh. Only an exam will tell what the problem is- fat necrosis ( I suspect), scar tissue, something else? I don't think PAL would be the best.  If anything is indicated, UAL, or laser lipo might be better.  Depending on exam findings, you may also need fat transfer, or even, leave it alone before it gets worse. If this is in your abdomen, a tummy tuck may be the best way... more
Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+2

VIDEO: Correction of liposuction irregularities with tummy tuck 6:20

The attached video shows the results of a tummy tuck to correct skin irregularities caused by agressive liposuction. see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2

Hardened scar tissue 3 years after PAL

I'm sorry to hear that you still have hardened areas after your power assist liposuction. I do not believe it is the garment's fault. As I often say, it is not the tool but the person using the tool that makes the difference! It sounds that your surgeon oversuctioned the area and devascularized or injured the vessels under your skin. You do not state what body part is injured. I personally see this on the abdomen, when patients come in for a second opinion, and often the... more
George Marosan, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scar tissue after liposuction,SmartLipo

It is unusual for scar tissue to not become soft after that long from your liposuction. Also, SmartLipo or SlimLipo,if anything, should have been able to help this for it is laser type liposuction which removes most of the tissue the laser is in contact with. If it responds to none of these, you may need it surgically removed. You mention  that you have numbness also. This is extremely unusual and your nerve may have been injured with those procedures. Maybe the scar tissue you are... more
Edward J. Domanskis, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Complications from liposuction

You demonstrate the reason why the method of performing liposuction is not as important as the care in performing it or in choosing appropriate candidates. It doesn't matter if a surgeon uses PAL, WAL, SlimLipo, SmartLipo, Vaser, etc. It is not the machine, it is the surgeon and the patient that is important. No one can give you an adequate answer without a thorough exam, review of your previous surgeries, and frank discussion about what goals can or cannot be achieved. Very... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction scarring

I am not really sure what you have specificaly, because I have never seen scarring from liposuction.  I fyou have adhernece of the skin to the underlying tissue this may suggest over-treatment.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scars after liposuction

It sounds like you have had a very unusual and very unfortunate outcome to your liposuction procedure.  Without pictures or seeing you in person, it is impossible to give you specific advice.  However, there are often a combination of procedures which may help, including additional liposuction, fat grafting and RF and US treatments.     Good Luck.
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Scar tissue after liposuction

Dents and irregularities, over-corrected areas can occur after liposuction which is very operator dependent. Power assisted liposuction is a mechanical hand piece which was developed to reduce operator fatigue, though it should not result in hardened scar tissue. It is also unlikely that the compression garment is to blame for the scar and poor result. Perhaps start over with a board certified plastic surgeon to get to bottom of whats gone wrong. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd more
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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