Chao Plastic Surgery

With liposuction of the neck, the skin will tighten somewhat depending on the patient. 3 weeks is not enough time to realize that tightening effect. In terms of when it would be appropriate to start Ultherapy, greater than 3 months from the liposuction would be the most ideal time period. Swelling from liposuction could last more than 3-6 months from the surgery, so the later the better. Of course, you should consult with your plastic surgeon, as he or she might have protocols which would allow for earlier treatment with Ultherapy after liposuction. Good luck!

This is a tough question to answer without actually seeing you. Yes, swelling and hardening can be normal for many months after liposuction. It can be caused by many things. Sometimes continuing the garment and massage of the hardened area can be helpful. The bruising is a less usual thing at this point after surgery. Sometimes this can be the sign of some bleeding (as can swelling and hardening). We call this a hematoma, but 3 months after liposuction it would very unusual to have spontaneous bleeding from the liposuction surgery.

In my practice, we instruct our patients to not rub the newly placed grafts for a minimum of 2 weeks. The most that should be done is to let water run over the transplants. In your case, it is possible that follicular units were rubbed away, but there is a good chance you only removed scabs and the shaft and that you did not disturb the grafts themselves. The only thing you can do at this point is to wait. Eyebrow make-up at 2 weeks post-op is permissible for our patients, but I would ask your physician before proceeding.