Why does cellulite appear on areas where liposuction was performed if I didn't have cellulite there before?

Question

Why is it cellulite appears on areas where where lipo was performed? Example.. bbl, arms. It was never there before.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear qwert678,
I would have to examine you but it appears that this is a contour irregularity after liposuction. This happens often when areas the undergo liposuction are not feathered appropriately.
The good news is that it can be fixed and I have done so with good results before. While there is always a chance for contour irregularities with liposuction, someone who takes their time and uses the appropriate sized cannulas should give you a superb result. I have all my patients wear compression garments and I use multiple sized cannulas to feather out the result.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Great question. In my experience in doing liposuction for almost 40 years and very involved in revisions of lipo and BBLs, I have seen the reasons for the "wrinkling" of the skin are as follows: 1. over suctioning in the sub dermal plane causing the loss of the supporting framework under the skin, 2. there was minor presence of "cellulite" preop. 3. postop swelling edema causing too much stretching of the skin over the lipo area thus leading to wrinkling. 4. combination of them all. Treatments or therapies are very limited in attain results. I personally offer Sculptra, Radiesse, nano fat grafting as an attempt.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Liposuction does not create cellulite. Most likely what you are referring to is an uneven fat distribution from poorly done liposuction which is not the same as cellulite.

Cellulite is caused by a tufting effect from connective tissue that anchors the skin certain distance from the underlying muscle facia.  Cellulite tends to form in very specific areas. These are areas that have a substantial amount of subcutaneous fat and an abundance of this type of connective tissue. Connective tissue stabilizing the skin to the underlying muscle facia is more prominent in areas that can tolerate great pressure like the sole so the feed, palms of the hands, lower interbuttock and back of the thigh.

Of all these areas the back of the thigh and lower buttocks also has substantial subcutaneous fat and this is the most common areas to develop cellulite.

Just because skin has an uneven contour does not mean it is cellulite.

I suggest including pictures if you want an assessment.

Regardless, there may not be much that can be done at this point. Liposuction is a more or less irreversible procedure that permanently removes fat.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Jose A. Munoz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!Compare your fatty tissue and overlying skin to an air-filled balloon. As you partially deflate a balloon, the rubbery skin contracts, maintaining the balloon's shape. If you deflate further, the rubbery skin of the balloon will wrinkle, and finally there will be balloon shape collapse. As one removes fat from under the skin, the rubbery skin will contract, maintaining its integrity. With continued fat removal, a point will be reached where the skin collapses and wrinkles. This is more likely to occur if there has been previous skin damage, such as the presence of stretch marks. Stretch marks indicate the presence of permanently damaged overstretched skin usually occurring during pregnancy or significant weight fluctuation where when pregnant or heavy, the skin's dermal elastic fibers rupture, resulting in the loss of elasticity and the development of streaks on the skin surface. The skin will stretch over a greater surface area and will predispose to sagging. A skin tightening procedure may be required.Best wishes...

Why does cellulite appear on areas where liposuction was performed if I didn't have cellulite there before?

Answers (4)

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