Best Correction for Botched Liposuction?

Question

June 2010 I had lipo on my abs, flanks and back by an unqualified dr. I am now left with severe gouging on some areas, uneven belly with dips and valleys, and shelfing from one area to another where feathering was not done. I have talked to a few Board Certified Drs since with different suggestions each time. My question is what do I do to fix my mishapen body? Fat graft, more lipo to even the areas, tummy tuck to redrape skin--but the uneven fat removal still will be there even if the skin's tight.

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear about your surgical misadventure. I see about 2 patients per months with the exact same complaints that you are describing. It looks like someone was "off roading" on your abdomen. These problems are difficult to correct, might take more than one surgery and it will never be the same as if you would've had it done correctly the first time. I am always amazed that when people are going to buy a car, they test drive it, look around, come back and drive it again just to make sure they are not making a mistake. On the other hand, they give their one and only body to the lowest bidder! Which is the costlier mistake? You need to go beyond just asking if your surgeon is board certified. You need to know and verify that your surgeon is a plastic surgeon or he has priveleges at a hospital in doing liposuction not just in his office. I see deceptive advertisement on the internet daily with liposuction "surgeons" being family practitioners to dentists and any speciality in between. On the bright side, you can get improvement in these areas by skin excision, further liposuction and/or fat grafts. Fat grafts do not always work well in overly scarred and contracted tissues. Good luck.

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thank
 you for your question. Without photos difficult to answer. In general 
after liposuction, i would wait 6-12 months for a final result. If there
 is unevenness,  A liposuction revision may be all that is needed. 
Sometimes fat transfers may be needed to corrected deformities. Discuss 
you concerns with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Joseph Michaels, MD · Answer

This can be a very difficult problem to correct and may take more than one procedure. You have taken the correct first step seeking out a board certified plastic surgeon. Many patients may require a combination of additional liposuction and fat grafting to correct the areas that you do not like. If the areas are in your lower abdomen and you have enough excess skin, a tummy tuck may be a potential option. Without any pictures it is difficult to assess. Best of luck.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

There is no defined treatment plan for botched liposuction and therefore you are receiving muliple recommenations. I am attacing a video of a botched liposuction fixed with a tummy tuck at 6:15

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear of your experience.  Unfortunately, your problem is quite common.  In the interest of saving money, many patients incur problems that cannot be fully corrected. 

	You are best off consultating a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in revisional liposuction procedures.  the surgical plan should be logical and reasonable.  You cannot make another mistake.

	Correction of your problem may involve revisional liposuction, tummy tuck surgery, body lifts or fat injection.  A board certified plastic surgeon is best qualified to perform all these procedures.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Dear Jessica

	Of course we do not know the particulars of the surgeon who you choose.  Please be aware that even board certification in general plastic surgery does not make a surgeon a great liposuction surgeon.  Board certified general plastic surgeons can have problems with the performance of liposuction.  The two specialties that do the bulk of liposuction procedures in the United States are board certified dermatologists and board certified general plastic surgeon.  Dermatologists as a group have an amazing safety record when it comes to liposuction.  However, what you need is a surgeon who is in the business of fixing these types of problems.  You need to seek out this type of surgeon, it might be a general plastic surgeon or a dermatologist.  As there are a lot of options, what you need is a compassionate surgeon with an interest in helping you reach your goals.  Given your time frame, it would not be unreasonable to wait a full year from your original surgery to being this process.

Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS · Answer

Should have done your homework. If your doc was 'unqualified', then why did you choose to book surgery with him? 

	Revisionary surgery after liposuction can be simple or complex- photos are needed to give you an opinion. Better yet, book a consultation with a ASPS member surgeon and get an opinion about what to do next.

Raja Mohan, MD · Answer

Liposuction revision, also known as liposuction correction or liposhifting, is a cosmetic surgery that improves the results of a previous liposuction procedure. It can be performed on any area of the body that was previously treated, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, arms, or neck. Some reasons for revision liposuction include: Asymmetry Too much or too little fat removal Sudden weight gain or loss Weight gain or aging after the procedure Skin irregularities, such as skin laxity, irregular bumps, keloids, or a wavy, rippled appearance Dimpling or lumpiness, which can be caused by small pockets of fat or scar tissue The procedure involves making small incisions in the targeted areas, and depending on the case, additional fat may be removed or reinserted. Some risks of liposuction revision include:InfectionBleedingAdverse reactions to anesthesiaScarringIrregularitiesPlacing too much or too little fatSwellingBruising A consultation with a skilled plastic surgeon can determine if liposuction revision is appropriate.

Steven Svehlak, MD · Answer

Over the years I have seen and treated hundreds of patients from around the world who describe similar experiences with having too aggressive liposuction with resulting bad contour irregularities, scarring, and discoloration of the skin.  Some of these patients have had their procedures done in other countries to save money. Some have gone to doctors who are not properly trained in all the nuances of liposuction surgery and are inexperienced.  In recent years, I am seeing more of these patients who have had bad results in combination with Brazilian Buttlifts.  I approach each patient individually because each persons circumstance is unique and a treatment plan must be tailored appropriately.  Some patients will require just some additional spot liposuction to reduce high spots, others will require fat transfer to fill dents/low spots, others will need a combination of techniques, and in some cases a more aggressive procedure, such as a tummy tuck, may be the best option.  Many will require more than one procedure to make significant improvements.  For anyone dealing with a botched body contouring procedure, or even considering body contouring for the first time, please do your homework and seek out a board certified plastic surgeon who has experience with these procedures and understands how botched problems can occur.  Seek out a surgeon who you are comfortable with and gives you an honest answer, and doesn't try to sell you on hype of the latest gadget or technology because it will give you "much better" results, or is the "easy fix".   Fixing "botched" surgery is tedious and not easy.   I hope this was helpful.  Good Luck.

Raj S. Ambay, MD · Answer

There are not a lot of easy options but there are options. Potentially more lipo to correct some areas, Fat grafting to add volume possibly a tummy tuck. The bottom line is that you should take it slow, and not expect someone to solve your problems easily.

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