Botched thigh liposuction (3 years po) - what do you recommend?

Question

I have lipo 3 years ago on my outer and inner thighs. My outer thighs have clear deformities and the inner thighs were left with strange waviness. I have been recommended to go for vaser to try and melt the fat + bodytite/morpheus. Have you seen cases like this before? Can this be fixed?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

BodyTite and Morpheus8 treatments may give you improved contours.  BodyTite is minimally invasive and uses RF energy to melt underlying fat and tighten skin.  Morpheus8 can then be used to improve overall skin tone and texture.  I've included a video I hope you find helpful.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi illustrativeb,

Thank you for your question regarding the possibility of fixing your botched liposuction, and for providing your history and pictures. Since you are only three months post-surgery, I recommend waiting another three months before making any decisions. If your condition does not improve after this period, revision liposuction should be considered.

For revision liposuction, using a VASER along with a specialized cannula can be effective in breaking up any scar tissue or fibrosis. Most plastic surgeons would advise against doing a revision only three months post-surgery. It is generally recommended to wait a full six months or longer before considering any revision.

It's important to note that the issues you're experiencing, such as seromas, skin rippling, and asymmetries, are known potential complications of liposuction and can occur with any patient and surgeon. These complications are not necessarily reflective of your surgeon's skills. Seromas, in particular, are a recognized complication associated with liposuction.

Therefore, rather than attributing these issues solely to your surgeon's performance, I suggest continuing to work with your chosen plastic surgeon to achieve the results you desire, even if it means undergoing another surgical revision. Good luck and I hope this provides clarity on whether your “botched” lipo can be addressed effectively with further intervention.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Liposuction under local with the micro canulas really can fix most irregularities nicely and easily since the patient can be stood up to fine tune the results right then and there.  Also Morpheus and bodytiteRF will  help tighten up the skin nicely.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear plau,
It is unfortunate that you have experienced the MOST common risk of liposuction surgery, contour deformities.  Newer technologies such as ultrasonic and laser liposuction have decreased those risks, but still they remain a possibility.  For this reason choosing the right candidate for liposuction is essential for the surgeon and choosing an American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeon is essential for the patient.  Laser, or ultrasonic liposuction may help to improve your current deformities and the addition of radiofrequency skin tightening may add to the improvement depending on your skin quality.  Good luck!

Botched thigh liposuction (3 years po) - what do you recommend?

Answers (6)

Answer: Most liposuction irregularities can be improved with the right technique.

Answer: Most liposuction irregularities can be improved with the right technique.

Answer: Liposuction results

Answer: Liposuction results

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Botched thigh liposuction (3 years po) - what do you recommend?

Answers (6)

Answer: Most liposuction irregularities can be improved with the right technique.

Answer: Most liposuction irregularities can be improved with the right technique.

Answer: Liposuction results

Answer: Liposuction results

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.