What is this bulge after Lipo? (Photo)

It is impossible to give you good answer without in person evaluation. If this bulge (mass) is not a result of abdominal wall weakness, it may be result of uneven liposuction? In person consultation with an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon, is recommended. Good luck.

Dear Steph14409,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

You may have a seroma, a collection of fluid, from the liposuction which would show on X-ray or some residual fat. An examination is needed to be sure.

I feel a physical exam would be necessary to accurately answer your question. I would say that it was a seroma but this goes against the testing you reported. The only other thing would be fat, but I would assume your surgeon liposuctioned this area. Pre-op photos would aid in diagnosis as well.
Dr. Taranow

After doing scan and rule out seroma or hernia then more lipo in that area is the only way to achieve improvement. Best to seek virtual or in person second opinions. Fees in the $5,000 ranges.

Seeing a picture isn’t really gonna help us. I suggest you get a copy of your MRI and have your plastic surgeon go over it with you. Here she should be able to look at the images and decipher if this is your muscle wall bulging or subcutaneous fat. Whenever we make assessments on the outcome of a surgical procedure it’s always helpful to see before and after pictures. If you don’t have those please contact your surgeon and ask them to send the ones they took.

If your surgeon can’t help you then I suggest having a few in person second opinion consultations.

We can’t really tell you what it is without an examination. If it has a fluid shift then it would most likely be a seroma.

Those are pretty unusual after liposuction but have a higher incidence when energy devices like VASER are used.

Some people have asymmetrical musculoskeletal structures but this looks a bit beyond that.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Hi and welcome to our forum!The presence of a lump following liposuction may represent an area missed by the liposuction, a hernia, or a collection of subcutaneous lymphatic fluid (a seroma). Radiographic / sonographic studies may be of value but are not 100% accurate (perhaps closer to 50%). Fluid under the skin is often ballotable. One can elicit a fluid wave by compressing the lump on one side and feeling it expand on the other.I would consider an abdominal tap in the area to determine if there indeed is free fluid. If there is no fluid, exploration of the area may be required.Revisit your plastic surgeon.Best wishes...