I'm developing large lumps throughout my back and butt cheeks after lipo and BBL. 17 days post op. Can I massage my butt?

Question

I've been using a rolling pin to get out the bumps on my stomach and back, but the lumps on my butt are fairly large, and I haven't touched them. The rolling pin is somewhat working, but is it too early to use it for skin necrosis on my butt 17 days post op? (I think it's skin necrosis. I'm self diagnosing because no one will answer the phones or e-mail me back after my surgery).

Giovanna Ghafoori, MD · Answer

Hi, Danielle Starkman.  "Bumps" following liposuction and/or BBL can be quite normal and will resolve with a good massage program.  However, bumps can also be more excessive than expected and may represent other problems such as fluid or blood accumulation in the lipo tunnel tracts, excess inflammation, infection, irregular skin redraping, etc.  Some firmness in the fat grafted areas of the buttocks is expected early after surgery, but having actual bumps is not: their presence may be a somewhat minor problem that would respond to conservative measures, but could equally represent more serious complications.  
Skin necrosis results when the actual skin dies.  If this occurs in a small area, with prompt and aggressive management, it will generally be of no major significance and will ultiimately heal.  However, if the area is larger or is not promptly treated, skin necrosis could result in devastating complications.
I would strongly encourage you to follow up with your surgeon immediately in order to determine the significance of your post-operative complications.  Your surgeon, especially if he/she is a well-trained, experienced and skilled plastic surgeon, would be in the best position to assess the situation, based on your pre-opertive evaluation, surgical findings, and post-operative follow-up to date and to make the appropriate treatment recommendations. I understand that you mentioned that your phone calls and e-mails were going unanswered?   Hopefully any problems in the communication system have been identified and fixed by now.  If your surgery was done out of country, out of state, or by a poorly-trained/disreputable physician, you may be in a very difficult situation.
Best of luck to you!

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

not sure what you are talking about; it has not been a problem in my practice; maybe it is related to the rollers you are using; maybe they are pushing the more mobile fat away and leaving firmer fat in place that are appearing like lumps. Can you provide a photograph?

I'm developing large lumps throughout my back and butt cheeks after lipo and BBL. 17 days post op. Can I massage my butt?

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I'm developing large lumps throughout my back and butt cheeks after lipo and BBL. 17 days post op. Can I massage my butt?

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Brazilian Butt Lift

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