I have had BodyTite done and a year later Vaser lipo. Some areas were treated twice. A year after Vaser I have noticed a large dimple on my lower abdomen, highly visible ridges on my outer thighs. I am very worried and would like to make sure it is actually possible to correct the deformities as it is highly visible and I can not wear shorts or tank tops. I am also interested as to what may have caused this. Would appreciate any advice on what surgeries I have to do in order to correct this.
June 26, 2020
Answer: Undesirable outcome after energy device Liposuction Poor outcomes after improperly done Liposuction are difficult to correct and sometimes only partial improvements can be had. These cases and many times more difficult than Primary Liposuction. Generally treatment options include revision Liposuction, fat transfer in certain cases converting the procedure to skin tightening surgery such as a full tummy tuck. Both VASER and bodytite are energy devices that require great experience because the surgeon has to anticipate the effect of the device. While using the devices there is no change in contour at all. If the device or the treatment at this time is being done in an uneven fashion the surgeon will not know until later. With bodytite the results takes weeks to months. With VASER the fat is pre-treated with the ultrasound device which does not remove that but simply pulverizes or breaks up to fat. If this step is done in an uneven fashion later when the Liposuction is done the fat may come out in an uneven fashion such as what happened to you. It could also have been the Liposuction itself which was done in an uneven fashion. There are numerous variables and we don’t have pictures depicting the exact change that came from each of the procedures in regards to photographic results, amount of fat removed, power setting on devices and how long the energy devices were used for etc. etc. I often speak out about energy devices because they cause more disfigurement than traditional Liposuction. In the end it’s not the device that cause the disfigurement but it is the provider and how the procedure was done. I simply see this more frequently with VASER. When this device is used by an experienced skilled plastic surgeon their results can be be striking but when used inappropriately by a provider lacking skill, training or experience the results can be equally devastating and far worse than other forms of liposuction. Typically during an assessment, which needs to be in person, each area of disfigurement is assessed individually and the decision is made what can be done to improve the outcome of that individual area. Unfortunately none of the above stated treatment options are ideal and they lack the ability to restore someone to pre-procedure but some improvements can usually be made. The more someone has been over treated or had multiple procedures the more difficult it becomes to correct the outcome. These are very challenging cases. Patients often lack faith in the plastic surgery community or in anyone’s ability to make things better(for a good reason). They’ve often spent thousands of dollars and in your case been disappointed more than once. Sometimes simply getting a patient to have faith to have another procedure is more than what can be accomplished. You should be very careful of any provider who says this can easily fixed. I also generally warn people to be very careful of providers who claim that the use of VASER can be used to “break up scar tissue“. This seems to always equate to our worsened outcome. Further surgery will always create more scar tissue. If the primary problem was that too much fat was removed then revision Liposuction is in many ways simply an insult to injury. Fat transfer works poorly because the devoid area now has no or insufficient host tissue to support the graft and fat leading to fat graft failure. On top of it scar tissue lacking elasticity locks the deformity into place. When fat grafting is used patients should be prepared to have multiple rounds of fat transfer in order to see significant improvement. 3 to 4 fat grafting sessions are often required. In order to not make things even worse this must be done by a provider who is truly skilled and experienced. It requires time and patience and can be frustrating to say the least for the patient. It’s also not an easy situation for a new surgeon to take over. Each plastic surgeon is ultimately responsible for the outcomes of their own procedures. Each and everyone of us as plastic surgeons have had patients unhappy with some outcomes and sought help from other providers through second opinions and revision work. I suggest having multiple in person consultations with experienced what certified plastic surgeons in your area. Look for providers who have extensive experience with liposuction and fat transfer. Also consider looking for providers who do a significant amount of reconstructive work in their practice. We’re having consultations you should be well prepared with proper before and after pictures taken by the surgeon of each procedure and a copy of the operative reports. you can request these from the providers by contacting their office. You have a right to your medical records including before and after two pictures taken by the provider. I wish I could be more up beat or offer more reassuring advice. Best, Mats Hagstrom MD
Helpful
June 26, 2020
Answer: Undesirable outcome after energy device Liposuction Poor outcomes after improperly done Liposuction are difficult to correct and sometimes only partial improvements can be had. These cases and many times more difficult than Primary Liposuction. Generally treatment options include revision Liposuction, fat transfer in certain cases converting the procedure to skin tightening surgery such as a full tummy tuck. Both VASER and bodytite are energy devices that require great experience because the surgeon has to anticipate the effect of the device. While using the devices there is no change in contour at all. If the device or the treatment at this time is being done in an uneven fashion the surgeon will not know until later. With bodytite the results takes weeks to months. With VASER the fat is pre-treated with the ultrasound device which does not remove that but simply pulverizes or breaks up to fat. If this step is done in an uneven fashion later when the Liposuction is done the fat may come out in an uneven fashion such as what happened to you. It could also have been the Liposuction itself which was done in an uneven fashion. There are numerous variables and we don’t have pictures depicting the exact change that came from each of the procedures in regards to photographic results, amount of fat removed, power setting on devices and how long the energy devices were used for etc. etc. I often speak out about energy devices because they cause more disfigurement than traditional Liposuction. In the end it’s not the device that cause the disfigurement but it is the provider and how the procedure was done. I simply see this more frequently with VASER. When this device is used by an experienced skilled plastic surgeon their results can be be striking but when used inappropriately by a provider lacking skill, training or experience the results can be equally devastating and far worse than other forms of liposuction. Typically during an assessment, which needs to be in person, each area of disfigurement is assessed individually and the decision is made what can be done to improve the outcome of that individual area. Unfortunately none of the above stated treatment options are ideal and they lack the ability to restore someone to pre-procedure but some improvements can usually be made. The more someone has been over treated or had multiple procedures the more difficult it becomes to correct the outcome. These are very challenging cases. Patients often lack faith in the plastic surgery community or in anyone’s ability to make things better(for a good reason). They’ve often spent thousands of dollars and in your case been disappointed more than once. Sometimes simply getting a patient to have faith to have another procedure is more than what can be accomplished. You should be very careful of any provider who says this can easily fixed. I also generally warn people to be very careful of providers who claim that the use of VASER can be used to “break up scar tissue“. This seems to always equate to our worsened outcome. Further surgery will always create more scar tissue. If the primary problem was that too much fat was removed then revision Liposuction is in many ways simply an insult to injury. Fat transfer works poorly because the devoid area now has no or insufficient host tissue to support the graft and fat leading to fat graft failure. On top of it scar tissue lacking elasticity locks the deformity into place. When fat grafting is used patients should be prepared to have multiple rounds of fat transfer in order to see significant improvement. 3 to 4 fat grafting sessions are often required. In order to not make things even worse this must be done by a provider who is truly skilled and experienced. It requires time and patience and can be frustrating to say the least for the patient. It’s also not an easy situation for a new surgeon to take over. Each plastic surgeon is ultimately responsible for the outcomes of their own procedures. Each and everyone of us as plastic surgeons have had patients unhappy with some outcomes and sought help from other providers through second opinions and revision work. I suggest having multiple in person consultations with experienced what certified plastic surgeons in your area. Look for providers who have extensive experience with liposuction and fat transfer. Also consider looking for providers who do a significant amount of reconstructive work in their practice. We’re having consultations you should be well prepared with proper before and after pictures taken by the surgeon of each procedure and a copy of the operative reports. you can request these from the providers by contacting their office. You have a right to your medical records including before and after two pictures taken by the provider. I wish I could be more up beat or offer more reassuring advice. Best, Mats Hagstrom MD
Helpful