I'm 2 months post lipo and my arms look horrible! I have irregularities, dimples, pain and numbness. Is this normal? (Photo)

Question

I am 2 months post op, visited my doctor multiple times due to seroma which has now resorbed. My arms look disgusting and i cant even wear sleeveless. Will this get better or am i supposed to see expected result at 2 months. My doctor said that final result is not evident until 12 months. What is the general rule for revision? What should i do if by 12 months i still have irregularities? With the money i spent, i feel like i dont deserve this. Totally unhappy with the result. disgusting result!

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

Unfortunately, your upper arm liposuction was complicated by your having a seroma.  When seromas resorb, they very often leave scar tissue which can surround nerves and cause them to be either numb or painful.  The lumpiness or dimpling that you are seeing is sometimes seen in liposuction of the upper arm, but made much more common by a seroma.  That being said, if you were my patient, I would have you do ultrasound (the kind physical therapists use for sore muscles) of your upper arms 2-3 times per week for 4 weeks.  This should break up most of the scar tissue from the seroma and also heal the normal injuries caused by liposuction.  As an adjunct to the ultrasound, I have my patients spray their arms with DMSO 70% at least 4 times per day for about 3-4 weeks.  The combination of the ultrasound and DMSO should cure most of the problems you are experiencing.  If the dimpling does not resolve in about 6 months after surgery, and if you were my patient, I would revise your upper arms by using a canula having no opening in it (a blank canula) to relax the scar tissue that has formed.  This process is done through a small incision just above your elbow, and the concept is very similar to the smoothening that one does when you fiberglass a Corvette.  I have only had to do this a few times but it has always been 100% successful.

Amy T. Bandy, DO, FACS · Answer

The results that you have are not typical at 2 months after liposuction.  I agree with other posts that some of this may be due to the seroma that you had, however, I believe that you will need a revision surgery even after the healing process settles down.  There is irregularity in the amount of fat over your arm, and this is unlikely to change with time and healing.  The scar tissue may very will improve with time and ultrasound or RF, but the fat distribution will not.  I would recommend waiting the 6 months from the time of your surgery, then consulting with a BCPS with experience in revision surgery and fat transfer, as you may need this for your best results.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

At two months there is still swelling after liposuction.  The contour abnormalities may very well improve with the passage of time.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I am sorry this happened to you.  Liposuction does has risks and can cause irregularities and such.  This typically will resolve but it is best to add in a radiofrequency or ultrasound treatment with massage at this time.  Velashape or venus legacy treatments.  If after a series there is no improvement, I tell people to wait 6-12 months and consider a revision surgery if it would work, but I would suggest seeing a revision specialist.

I'm 2 months post lipo and my arms look horrible! I have irregularities, dimples, pain and numbness. Is this normal? (Photo)

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