Is Abdominal Bulge After Liposuction Normal?

Question

I had liposuction in my upper & lower abdomen, love handles, & lower back 2 months ago. Most of the discomfort is gone. About one month after lipo a bulge formed in the center of my abdomen just above & below my belly button. My doctor told me it was uneven swelling and to continue to massage & wear garment. I'm concerned that it's not going to go away. Is it really swelling? If so, how long until bulge disappears? When I lie down my tummy is completely flat; but when standing bulge is there.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

The periumbilical area is one that may not be effectively treated with liposuction and may leave more residual fat there that is seen now after swelling is reduced in other areas. It may take a month or two for more swelling to come down but I doubt it will be so much that will suddenly make your area flatter. It may need more liposuction. I usually take great care to make sure this area gets very numb prior to peforming the liposuction so that I can be very meticulous around the sensitive belly button and remove all the fat I feel is appropriate so that it does not leave my patients with a mound.

Steven L. Ringler, MD, FACS · Answer

Swelling after liposuction is very common, especially at 2 months post op. This can be due to fluid ( seroma or hematoma), uneven fat removal, or just injured fat cells and scar tissue. Massage and compression garments are usually helpful, but you should follow up with your surgeon if this does not continue to improve. Good luck

Michael Orseck, MD · Answer

There are several causes that can contribute to this problem. Lax abdominal muscles, seroma or hematoma, induration or underresection of fat. Without examining you it would be difficult to determine the cause.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

This could be due to several causes: seroma/hematoma, underlying rectus muscle diastasis, necrotic fat, pseudocyst, fibrosis, etc. So it may be worth to obtain a second opinion but it is unlikely that anyone will intervene prior to 6 months.

Julie E. Voss, MD · Answer

Possible factors that can cause a bump after liposuction are induration (most common cause that appears about one week after liposuction and slowly dissapates over 6 months), uneven fat removal (area would be soft after about 4 months), muscle issues (ventral hernia, diastasis- this would get much bigger whenever you flex to do an abdominal 'crunch' exersize), hematoma/seroma ( slowly dissapates).  Hopefully over time your issue has resolved.

	Good luck!

Is Abdominal Bulge After Liposuction Normal?

Answers (10)