8 days post op lipo, seeing redness in my bruises. It itches and hurts, but PS said it's normal. Thoughts? (photos)

Question

Hello dear community. I’m 8 days post op of Lipo for fat grafting taken from inner thighs(25 ml each), no compression needed, because of little amount, my doc said. Since Friday there is this redness in my bruise. It itches and hurts while walking or touching it. My bruise is better, but the redness is still the same. Infection? Allergic? Fat necrosis? My doctor said from the pictures it’s normal, but I’m not sure...I had Lipo before and never experienced this. Any ideas or suggestions? Thank you

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello. Great question. At 8 days, you are still early in your recovery process. It is normal to have swelling and bruises. Keep following your surgeon's post op instructions.

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
You are still early on the healing process, it can take up to six months to see your final results, so please be patient. At the stage you are in, bruising is completely normal.
If this doesn't improve over time, please, follow up close with your plastic surgeon.

Good luck :)

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

The pictures show fairly typical bruising after liposuction. There are a few things they can minimize bruising. The most important is to use of tumescent solution at least 15 minutes before starting the liposuction procedure. This solution typically has a drug called epinephrine which takes 10 to 20 minutes to be in full affect. Epinephrine causes blood vessels to constrict temporarily shutting down the blood flow to the area being treated. This substantially decreases bleeding which in turn minimizes bruising.  Bruising is the visual effect of the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells. Hemoglobin is eventually broken down to become bile. It goes through many stages during this breakdown process. The different pigments involved in the breakdown of hemoglobin to become bile has different colors. These pigments include bilirubin, biliverdin etc. The names of the different substances are based on the colors that they form.  The redness you were seeing is the evidence of Red pigments from the breakdown of hemoglobin as it becomes bile. It may also be inflammation which can cause some redness. It does not look infected. Please get a proper assessment by following up with your plastic surgeon if you have further concerns. Best, Mats Hagstrom M.D.

8 days post op lipo, seeing redness in my bruises. It itches and hurts, but PS said it's normal. Thoughts? (photos)

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8 days post op lipo, seeing redness in my bruises. It itches and hurts, but PS said it's normal. Thoughts? (photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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