How Do I Talk to my Dr About Bad Outcome from Overdone Lipo?

Had mini tummy tuck for diastasis recti of upper stomach from child birth. No stretch marks or loose skin. Agreed to mild lipo of lovehandles only. Came out with overdone hips and buttocks area somehow. Left side indented and way smaller buttock and hip. and "wooden" feeling. 3 mos out. He does not seem to want to acknowledge problem. Worried I will have to overdue lipo on right side now to make even.

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by meganmarie123 in memphis

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Communication is key to getting great final results from any plastic surgery

Just talk to your surgeon. That sounds easier than it is, though, I know. I don't know any reputable surgeon who wants an unhappy patient. If you let your surgeon know your specific concerns, he should be willing to talk to you about them and give you options. The tone of the conversation should be gentle and non-accusatory. As I said, no good surgeon wants an unhappy patient--hopefully your surgeon has enough experience that he won't become... more

Carmen Kavali, MD

11 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Discussing Disappointing Results with Plastic Surgeon

The only way to settle it is to discuss it. The discussion should not be accusatory or heated but both you and your surgeon should at least see what, if anything, could or need to be done. (Instead of "you promised me X,Y,Z and instead I have Z,X,C, it should be more along of "Dr. W, My husbandand I are disappointed with B,N,M and are worried it would be permanent, what are my options for correcting it?) Most surgeons would respond to that and want to make you happy.

800 pound gorilla

Unhappy results are a difficult topic sometimes. You have the choice to suck it up or confront the doctor. At three months our, I believe you are seeing results that are starting to look close to the final result (though more swelling will resolve). On your next exam you need to be firm but polite. Perhaps ask to see the pre op photos and ask to discuss what was done, and how much fat was removed from each area. Replacing fat is difficult. If he won't... more

Liposuction

you need to resolve if possible, the miscommunication you had with the liposuction of the buttocks when you only wanted love handles. At times the doctor must do adjacent areas that are affected by the desired area and this might have been explained to you but with all the other information it might have gotten "lost" during the converstaion/consultation. This should be done prior to having the surgeon perform any revisions.

Handling the discussion with your plastic surgeon when results are not ideal

There are many things that can lead you to have a result that you are not happy with. Perhaps your expectations were higher than appropriate for what your body could allow. Perhaps you expected more than the doctor was able to do (especially when you go to a non-plastic surgeon). Sometimes the technique was flawed or the healing was marred by more scar tissue than one would hope for. Regardless, if you are unhappy, you should discuss it calmly with the doctor.... more