Is it a bad idea to get a lipo revision from your first doctor if you're already unhappy with your result?

Question

I got liposuction 8 months ago and was never happy with my result. I'm 5'3, 120lbs and I barely look any different than before, except that not there is more dimpling and asymmetry. I want to fix my surgery but I have no idea how to find the right Doctor to fix it. I did my research before and thought my first Doctor would nail it - so now I feel lost and unsure of who to see? Should I have my initial Doctor do the revision (even though I'm not a fan of my results) or try to find someone new?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

If your first doctor has gotten thousands of great results, then revision with the doctor should be considered.

Misbah Khan MD, FAAD, FACMS · Answer

its a great question. I specialize in fixing liposuction defects and scars. Most patients who seek correction with me have had a revision done by their doctor who did the procedure in the 1st place. most of the time its the safest option for patients who are not satisfied with their results. having said that, revising a case is almost always harder than doing it the first time. my revision surgery is a 4-staged process. it takes time. And it requires a certain set of skills. I hope you find someone to help you.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

I would suggest at least a consultation with another surgeon. Our Hidef liposuction revision includes fibrous release, revision lipo, lipocavitation, multiplane tissue tightening, RF, and fat grafting. 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Many touch ups post liposuction can be very easy or simple things which you owe your doc the opportunity to do. He/she wants you to look good and has the knowledge and experience to fine tune the results. He may even offer radiofrequency treatments such as inmode BodyFX for skin tightening or may go back in with a smaller canula to smooth out irregularities. You will have to pay for at least the op room fee so don't expect it to be free. If you gain weight post lipo, then it is on you to lose the weight for better results. Your doc has spent a lot of time and effort with your 1st procedure so give him/her the chance to help you get a better result.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear paleflower,Finding the right Dr. is extremely challenging especially with the number of online platforms and resources available. There a lot of great Dr's available. Definitely check to make sure your choice specializes in the procedure you want and spend the time to read through patient testimonials. You can always pick up the phone and call around also, find an office you feel comfortable with and set up a few consultations. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Johnson C. Lee, MD · Answer

It is important that you find a surgeon who you can trust and have good communication with. It is definitely appropriate to address your concerns with the initial surgeon as they were the ones who know exactly how the first procedure was done. You also have the right to see as many doctors as you like until you feel that you find one that is able to get you to your goals. It is important your surgeon gives you enough information about the risks, benefits, and alternatives so that you can make an informed decision and have realistic expectations of the outocmes. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD Plastic Surgery@Drjohnsonlee

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

All, and I mean ALL, plastic surgeons (and dermatologists who offer it) who perform liposuction need to do the occasional touch-up or more significant revision. Sometimes the skin does not retract the way you want, or there is an unexpected indentation or contour irregularity. Most of us are ethical and want the same result for our patients (assuming the expectations have been realistic) that the patients want for themselves. Accordingly, I always hope that if a patient has unmet expectations, (s)he gives me the opportunity to do the revision myself and most of the time the outcome is very satisfactory for both patient and surgeon. If, on the other hand, you have no emotional faith in your doctor or you really think the result is awful, it is of course your prerogative to see another plastic surgeon for a second opinion before you decide on how to proceed. Hopefully the physicians here on RealSelf answering your question will not simply encourage you to go somewhere else (hopefully to them), but certainly you can see here there are a lot of additional resources if you find yourself unable to proceed with your current surgeon for the second procedure. Best of luck!

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Its a bad idea to go to the same doctor since revision liposuction is even harder than original liposuction. If it is one area that he/she missed that would be ok, but if it is uneven, has contour irregularities, you really need to consider a VASER specialist.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

If your results are terrible then you should stay clear of having the same provider do any revision work.
If you're simply liking the results and then having the same provider do you revision might make more sense.
If the results are just off, uneven or with bad contour irregularities you should be cautious having him do the same procedure twice.
You could have a few consults with other plastic surgeons to get second opinions.
We all do revisions but some providers simply don't have the expertise to deliver consistently great results.
Liposuction is one of the easiest procedures to do but one of the hardest to do really well.
Unfortunately liposuction it's not taken seriously enough essay sophisticated procedure that requires hundreds of cases to get good at.
My practice is devoted exclusively to liposuction and fat transfer procedures.
I personally feel like I started mastering liposuction after my first 1000 cases.
No one can give you a yes or no answer especially without pictures or an examination.
Go talk to some other plastic surgeons and see what they think.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Is it a bad idea to get a lipo revision from your first doctor if you're already unhappy with your result?

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