What Causes Hardness After Tumescent Liposuction?

I had Tumescent Liposuction on my back, stomach, arms and legs two weeks ago. I am VERY pleased with my legs, there is very little swelling and no pain. My back looks great also but is still a little numb. My lower abdomen however is really hard right in the middle (not all over, just in the middle) - it feels like a deck of cards inside. It isn’t really sore anymore, but is big. I have synergy treatments twice a week which hopefully will help. Any idea what these “cards” are? Thank you!

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harden 2 weeks post-op

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by Charley in Utica, NY

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It is the healing process and will continue to get better

This is very common an will eventually resolve. The underlying fat has been beat up and the body heals the area by sending in extra blood vessels which in turn increase the amount of fluid called edama. This mixture of traumatized tissues, extra blood vessels and fluid will lead to the hard areas. The lower abdomen is a very common area for this to happen because it is dependent, i.e it is low down and accumulate the fluid and very commonly there are pants and underwear and belts that... more

It's internal scar tissue which need to be treated aggressively.

To Charley, Hi. This is not a rare problem which we ONLY see in the abdomen. What seems to happen is that small fluid collections solidify into internal scar tissue with the resultant lumps (or deck of cards). Most of these lumps go away if treated with early, frequent lymphatic drainage massage and ultrasound. Your surgeon may have a different routine that works also. Since you have a great result in your legs and back, you obviously have a very good surgeon.

What you are describing is not unusual

Charley, I am glad that you are happy with your liposuction results. What you are describing is not unusual. For just two weeks out from surgery, it sounds like you are making a tremendous recovery. As for the "deck of cards," you may just have localized swelling or possibly a small fluid collection. Your surgeon will be best to evaluate this. If it is just swelling, it will resolve on its own. If it is a fluid collection, then you make need it drained, which can be easily... more

Recovery and swelling after liposuction

There is a period of recovery after liposuction that involves pain, bruising, and swelling. This is normal and should resolve with compression.

Hardness after tumescent liposuction

Liposuction is a safe, popular, and effective way to contour the body. Patients should be aware of the recovery process after liposuction. Immediately after the surgery, they will experience a moderate amount of pain, swelling, and bruising. As the patient is healing, it is common for them to have firm areas, lumps, or uneven areas at the beginning of the healing process. In our practice, we provide every patient with a special compression garment that helps decrease the swelling and... more

Two weeks after liposuction

Being out only 2 weeks after liposuction surgery, it is not uncommon to feel numbness and somd areas of firmness. The numbness usually gets better over a few weeks, and the firmness will soften, but you can also massage it.