Severe bruising 6 months post-op lipo - is it too late for hyperbaric treatment? (Photos)

Question

I had liposuction 6 months ago and left severe bruising am I too late for treatment?

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

At 6 months, this is less likely to be ordinary fresh bruising and more likely to represent persistent discoloration, hemosiderin staining, scarring, or another skin-change pattern after surgery. In the photos, there is dark patchy discoloration, but the cause cannot be confirmed from images alone.

Hyperbaric oxygen is usually considered for specific acute wound-healing or tissue-perfusion problems, not as a standard treatment for old bruising many months later. You should be examined by your operating surgeon and possibly a dermatologist or laser specialist. Treatment may involve time, pigment-directed skin care, vascular/pigment lasers, or scar management depending on what the exam shows. If there is pain, drainage, open skin, spreading redness, or worsening swelling, seek prompt in-person care.

Justin Yovino, MD, FACS · Answer

In my experience this situation is unusual, especially many months after your procedure. Some element of bruising is expected right after the procedure but it is typically cleared up after a 3-4 weeks max. It's best to consult with your surgeon to seek guidance. As for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, this may still help you given that the tissue appears to be in need of healing.

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @Csmith2019, thank you for your question. Is it critical that you consult with the doctor who performed the procedure and ask him what is the duration of the process that you are presenting in the area? What type of process you have there, if it is an inflammatory process, if it is a pigmentation process and from that generate a postoperative plan to improve the existing situation. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Csmith2019,I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

What you have left is pigment from the red blood cells that have now stained your skin. This is not bruising and hyperbaric treatment will not be helpful.  Some laser treatments might be helpful.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Based on your pictures you had a complication and I think there’s more to the story than simply some bleeding during surgery.
Was your provider a local board-certified plastic surgeon?
Were you shown a sufficient number of before and after pictures during your consultation? an experience provider should have hundreds of them so they should be able to show you a lot of examples of other patients having had the same procedure.
It looks to me like somebody used either an energy-based device such as VASER, Renuvion or bodytite and was extremely aggressive with the procedure.
I wouldn’t waste money on hyperbaric oxygen because I don’t think it’ll make any impact.
At this point your best option is to give this a couple of years then consult with talented plastic surgeons about some type of revision procedure. 
I don’t think there is any early treatment that could’ve been done other than choosing a more experienced and talented provider.
This is not a normal outcome and your pictures tells me you’re a surgeon is lacking in skill and experience.
This is not a random thing that sometimes happens. Your experience is directly related to how the procedure was performed and it was not performed correctly.
Consider writing a review about your experience to tell others what happened to you.
 I’m sure you would’ve appreciated other patients who had similar experiences writing reviews so you could’ve chosen a different provider.
You may want to consider having a few second opinion consultations with other local board-certified plastic surgeons in your community to see what their thoughts are.
For a second opinion consultations patients should come prepared to bringing with them before and after pictures and a copy of their operative report. these are part of your medical records and you can get them by requesting them from your previous surgeons office.
It would also be appropriate for you to ask for a refund for the money you spent for your procedure.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Severe bruising 6 months post-op lipo - is it too late for hyperbaric treatment? (Photos)

Answers (6)

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