Why is my abdomen so lumpy at 6 weeks post-op? (Photo)

Question

I’ve had massages and I wear my garment religiously however my abdomen is so lumpy. I’m told that final results are shown a 3 to six months but why does my stomach look so bad?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello. Great question. A personal examination is needed to properly determine the reason behind your lumps. It may be a result to swelling. Keep in mind, there is still swelling present. Keep following your surgeon's post op instructions.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

You will need to wear the compressive garment for several months to see if it will smooth out.  If it does not then the excess hanging skin will need to be corrected with a tummy tuck.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Michael Zwicklbauer, MD · Answer

I agree at this point I hope your surgeon is seeing you regularly. This is a little more lumpy than I would expect at six weeks but you just may have some swelling or even a pocket of fluid from aggressive liposuction that could be aspirated. Please go see your surgeon and see what things can be done to help you during this recovery

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

It is too soon to tell what your final results will be. It actually takes about 6 to 12 months to see the final outcome. However, even at this stage, it's clear that you will likely will need a revision procedure -- this is simply not right.
I recommend following up with your physician about their suggested after care protocol. I have my patients wear compression for 3 to 6 weeks straight and then overnight for 3 to 6 months after their procedure. I also recommend that my patients receive lymphatic massage treatments every day for a week following their procedure; twice per week for the following month; and then once per week until healing is complete. To improve your final results, I suggest adding Vanquish for further fat removal; truSculpt iD, Exilis, Forma, and Venus Legacy for additional skin tightening; and Cellutone / ZWave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance.
Ultimately, if you are unhappy with your results, please speak to your physician and ensure that he/she was a full body VASER Hi-Definition Liposuction physician with extensive experience in contouring and body shaping -- and not just traditional fat reduction. You can always get a revision procedure by an expert if needed. Best, Dr. Emer

Joshua Kreithen, MD · Answer

So... it's true that it takes up to six months for swelling to go down... so at six weeks you are still early in the process.  Lumpy and bumpy is very normal. I'd recommend daily massage as well as continued compression.  Also, HIVMAT and ZWAVE treatments would be highly beneficial.  Good luck and hope this helps!

Leonard Tachmes, MD · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
From your photograph, you appear to be demonstrating moderate surface irregularity.
The procedure of liposuction is an
"insult" to the soft tissues, resulting in swelling which will
initially totally obscure the operative result. It is impossible to determine this early in the postoperative period if this is swelling, residual fat, or fibrosis. The
purpose of a compression garment is to prevent bleeding and to control
swelling. We usually recommend its use for the first 6-8 weeks (or longer if necessary) after the
procedure. 60-80%
of the swelling should subside within the first 6 weeks, with the remainder
slowly subsiding over 6-12 months.
If there is excessive or prolonged swelling, we recommend lymphatic massage and the use of ultrasound and radiofrequency devices to hasten resolution.
Continue
followup care with your plastic surgeon.
Best wishes...

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Very hard to give exact reason for the fibrosis effect and wrinkled abdomen following liposuction (unsure if you had also a BBL?). It most likely is a combination of over aggressive lipo with poor post operative compressions and post op massages not being preformed correctly. Also were you drained or did you have a drain placed? Best now is continued lymphatic lipo, see medical massage professionals for the "Sotelo-Paz" fibrosis technique of massages. Most likely if after 3 more months when tissue softens the Brazilian or Dr Uebel's lipo cannulae technique to release fibrosis could be done (fee $6,000). Did you  "find 'the' Doctor" as you previously posted?".

Why is my abdomen so lumpy at 6 weeks post-op? (Photo)

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