Hardness in Abdomen After Tumescent Liposuction

Firmness in the area is common and this should subside in 4-6 weeks. We treat our post op patients with Vshape, Sshape, Vasershape and this improves their tissue firmness.

After twelve days the skin will swell and stiffen often with some resulting bruise. Massage too soon can cause soreness and inflammation though gently massage in the shower should be fine. It will take several months for softening and full healing and revision is out of the question. Your experience is normal and time and your compression garment should help. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

At only 12 days post-op, it's almost entirely likely that what you are feeling is related to temporary swelling.  This is totally normal at this stage, and will subside over the next few weeks. Massage is very helpful....do as much as you can on the swollen firm areas. tip:  A clean rolling pin (from the kitchen) makes a good massager!

Fullness of the tissue is a normal response after liposuction.  The degree of fullness and edema can mark the difference between normal and abnormal.  Only a physical examination can help demarcate whether this is normal, or a response to infection. 

Liposuction is extremely popular and effective technique for body contouring. After the procedure, patients may expect to experience swelling, firmness, and mild drainage from the liposuction incisions. This is your healing process and is always in the range of normal. If you have a hard mass or a large mass that feels tense, your best bet is to return to your plastic surgeon and have them assess you. This mass may be swelling but may also be a collection of fluid. Your plastic surgeon... more

At only 12 days, you probably just have edema and bruising in the fat. These should resolve over the next few weeks with massage. Just curious though - if you knew your doctor was an OB GYN, why did you let her do liposuction on you? There are many fine real plastic surgeons in SC and now you have to worry if the problem you have was caused because she has never been formally trained to do plastic surgery.

Hard lumps for up to 3-4 months after liposuction is extremely common. The vast majority of these will resolve on their own but massage may help. Some emply the use of external ultrasound but I would definitely avoid any additioanl surgery at this point.

At 12 days, the hardness you are experiencing can be due to several things so without actual examination it's hard to diagnose. Regardless, another liposuction procedure is not what you need right now. Since you say an OB-GYN performed the procedure and not a board certified plastic surgeon it might not be a bad idea to consult with an American Board of Plastic Surgery certified plastic surgeon in your area, just to have another opinion. You can find someone by going to www... more