I have two hard lumps on my abdomen 7 weeks after lipo. What can I do to minimize them and is this normal? (Photos)

Question

i had liposuction on my stomach 7 week ago and my skin has 2 hard lumps that give my abs a wavy appearance .my surgeon told me i have thin skin and that one of the lumps look like its developing into scar tissue. he recomended lymphatic drainage massage. is this normal and will it go away

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thank you for submitting your question. Swelling after liposuction will last for many weeks after surgery. Hard lumpy areas are common in the first several weeks after lipo but rest assurred they will dissapate in 6-12 weeks. Final results take 6-12 months. Hard lumpy areas could be fat necrosis, localized areas of swelling and bruising, lymphedema, etc.   Continue to use your contour garment, massage the lumpy areas , external ultrasound and lymphatic massage will help to decrease swelling. Discuss your concerns with your Plastic surgeon

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

These hard lump and bumps that can develop after a liposuction procedure in the areas treated are fairly common and typically go away with some time and massage.  I would defer to your operating surgeon with regards to massage on these areas but trust in that it usually improves with time.  You are still very early in the healing process so I would caution you from being overly concerned with your results thus far.

David Stoker, MD · Answer

Hard lumps following liposuction usually go away by themselves with time. Most commonly they are swollen fat. Massage may help to speed the process. Typically no further treatment is needed.

Peter J. Vonu, MD · Answer

Having some surface irregularities following liposuction early on is not unusual at all. Massaging  may be of some benefit but this will almost always resolve on its own. I would be more concerned after 6 to 9 months.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

Areas can be lumpy after liposuction for months after surgery.  After 1 month, you can massage the ares.  Endermologie can also be used.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

It’s not uncommon for patients to have lumps and
bumps following liposuction. Contour irregularities may have a variety of
potential causes. These may include differential swelling, fat
necrosis, hematomas, and seromas. They are usually transient and respond to
conservative management with compression garments and massage. Rarely,
aspiration is necessary when hematomas and seromas are present. In most cases,
these problems have no effect on the long term results of liposuction.

Rarely, revisional liposuction is necessary but
this shouldn’t be undertaken for at least six months in most cases. If you’re
concerned about residual lumps and bumps following liposuction, it’s important
to consult your surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to formulate an
appropriate treatment plan for this problem.

Jaime Perez, MD · Answer

Hello. This is common to occur post liposuction. Try massaging the area to help reduce hardness. This should work if not, contact your surgeon for evaluation. Best of luck.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

External massage, lymphatic massage may help smoothen lumps after liposuction. External ultrasound treatment can help too. If they don't recede completely, then small cannula liposuction in the tiny lumps may flatten them if they are undercorrected residual fatty accumulations.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

AT 7 weeks, you have just completed the proliferative phase of wound healing and firmness and irregularities are not uncommon. Massage, ultrasound and MLD may help expedite scar maturation. I have found that these are often due to folds in improper compression garment wear or waistbands. IF this is the case you may be better off avoiding all compression to the area.

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Sometimes one can have some hardness around the belly button after liposuction. This is a more fibrous area and can have persistent tissue inflammation. Massage is a good idea. One statement that concerns me is "...my surgeon told me i have thin skin and that one of the lumps look like its developing into scar tissue". It sounds that the liposuction might've been too superficial with injury of the blood supply under the skin resulting in abnormal scarring. If this is the case, it might be harder to correct. At this time I would consider massage and not wearing tight clothing which can lead to creasing in this area.

I have two hard lumps on my abdomen 7 weeks after lipo. What can I do to minimize them and is this normal? (Photos)

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