Why do I have the dimpling bumpy lumps a year after thigh lift surgery? (Photo)

Question

A year after surgery and my thighs look awful - lumpy and bumpy and some dimpling. The bumps are hard. Is it fibrosis? How can I get rid of it and make my legs smooth? I followed all after care to the nth degree.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding the lumps and dimpling in your thighs one year after surgery. I appreciate the history and photos you provided.

You did not mention the exact procedure you had—whether it was thigh liposuction, a thigh lift (thighplasty), or a combination of both. However, since you describe your thighs as lumpy, bumpy, and with hard areas, this is likely fibrosis (scar tissue), also known as cicatrix. Hard lumps persisting one year post-op are often thickened scar tissue that has developed beneath the skin.

At this stage, aggressive soft tissue massage is usually the best first-line treatment to break up the fibrotic tissue and smooth out the contours. If massage does not significantly improve the texture, steroid or 5-FU injections may help soften the scar tissue and reduce the lumps. These injections are commonly used to treat post-surgical fibrosis and can be very effective in improving the skin’s appearance.

If these conservative treatments do not work, you may need a revision procedure. This could involve VASER liposuction, which uses ultrasound energy to break up and liquefy hardened scar tissue while smoothing out the contour of the thighs. Additionally, fibrotic scar bands that cause dimpling can be surgically released to improve the overall texture of the skin.

Since you are considering revision surgery, I strongly recommend consulting with a board-certified, experienced plastic surgeon who specializes in thigh surgery. Look for someone who has performed at least 100 thigh lifts and can show you before-and-after photos of patients with similar concerns.

I hope this helps answer your question about post-thigh lift lumps, bumps, and dimpling. Good luck with your recovery, and I hope you achieve the smooth contour you are looking for.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Bryan Curtis, MD · Answer

Experiencing dimpling, bumpy lumps, or irregularities a year after thigh lift surgery can be concerning and may indicate several potential issues. It's essential to consult with your plastic surgeon to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. Here are some possible reasons for these symptoms:
1.	Scar tissue formation: After surgery, the body naturally forms scar tissue as part of the healing process. In some cases, this scar tissue can cause irregularities or bumps in the skin's appearance. This is more common in areas where the skin was tightened or where there was significant tissue manipulation during the thigh lift procedure.
2.	Seroma or hematoma: Fluid accumulation (seroma) or blood pooling (hematoma) under the skin can lead to lumps or bumps. While seromas and hematomas typically occur shortly after surgery, they can persist or develop later, especially if they were not adequately drained or resolved initially.
3.	Fat necrosis: In some cases, fat cells may undergo necrosis (cell death) due to inadequate blood supply or trauma during surgery. This can lead to the formation of firm, irregular lumps or nodules under the skin.
4.	Infection: Infections can cause inflammation and swelling, leading to the formation of lumps or bumps in the affected area. While infections are more common shortly after surgery, they can occur later if bacteria enter the surgical site.
5.	Tissue laxity or recurrence of laxity: Thigh lift surgery aims to remove excess skin and tighten the remaining tissue. However, over time, the skin and underlying tissues may lose elasticity, leading to the recurrence of laxity or the development of new sagging.
6.	Poor wound healing: Factors such as smoking, diabetes, poor nutrition, or other medical conditions can impair wound healing and increase the risk of complications such as irregular scarring or tissue irregularities.
It's crucial to have a thorough evaluation by your plastic surgeon to determine the cause of the dimpling, bumpy lumps, or irregularities after thigh lift surgery. Treatment options may include massage therapy, scar management techniques, revision surgery, or other interventions depending on the underlying cause.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

This response was dictated.
My apologies for any grammatical errors.
To make an accurate assessment regarding the outcome of any plastic surgery procedure we need to see quality before and after pictures.
If you don’t have before, and after pictures and ask your surgeon to forward, the pictures they took.
It looks to me like you had Liposuction in conjunction with your thigh lift.
It looks to me like your fat distribution is uneven This may be from poorly done Liposuction.
Thigh lift typically creates skin tightening in a vertical direction.
Individuals who have significant skin laxity may have skin laxity in both horizontal and vertical direction.
Skin laxity is typically only partially improved with a thigh lift.
Individuals who have significant skin laxity and cellulite will most likely still have some of these characteristics, even after a thigh lift.
The overall patient satisfaction of thigh lift surgery is only Average.
The number of patients who have high patient satisfaction after this procedure is somewhat low.
The outcome of plastic surgery procedures is generally based onto variables.
The first is the patient candidacy for the procedure, and the second is the skill of the provider.
Without knowing what you look like before the procedure, we can’t really begin to make an assessment regarding the outcome.
We also need to see the results from proper anglesthe same way plastic surgeons take before and after pictures.
Follow up with your provider or schedule in person second opinion consultations with other plastic surgeons in your community.
In reality, there is no truly great treatment for women who have flabby thighs. 
The lower extremities do not respond well to Liposuction, and typically don’t respond as well to skin tightening procedures as other parts of the body.
It is simply a difficult condition to treat.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Why do I have the dimpling bumpy lumps a year after thigh lift surgery? (Photo)

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Why do I have the dimpling bumpy lumps a year after thigh lift surgery? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Thigh Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.