Does Liposuction Cause Scar Tissue?

Question

If you get liposuction in your legs, but still unhappy, can you get another liposuction procedure on your legs? Does it cause more scar tissue?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Liposuction does cause scar tissue, and this scar at the least makes a secondary liposuction more demanding physically.  If more liposuction is needed and the skin is of good enough quality, more liposuction can be done.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Can Liposuction be repeated? Yes, but not for weight loss or a substitute for diet and exercise.. Speak with your plastic surgeon about this. You may want to consider instead non-invasive fat reduction using UltraShape or Vanquish. See below for more information#RepeatLiposuction

Richard G. Schwartz, MD · Answer

Whenever a wound is created in the body, wound healing will create scar tissue.  With liposuction, you will see a few short scars at the insertion points for the suction instrument.  However, scar tissue will form inside within the fatty layer that was suctioned.  Interestingly, scar tissue usually contracts over time, and this process within the fat might actually help tighten the overlying skin a little.  Although this internal scarring might increase the resistance felt when the suction instrument is moved through the fat, it really shouldn't preclude successfully performing a secondary or revision liposuction.  So if you didn't see enough reduction in fullness with your initial surgery, then discuss with your surgeon whether a second procedure could reasonably be expected to achieve further improvement.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

All operations leave at least some scar tissue.  Lipsuction is no different and that scarring complicates revisional surgery.

Michael Kreidstein, MD, FRCS(C) · Answer

Even with the best of technique, it is possible to have results that would benefit from further liposuction.  A touch-up procedure (typically after 9 months) is a great way to improve a 90% result to a 95% result (or better), and I wouldn't worry about creating more scar tissue.

Does Liposuction Cause Scar Tissue?

Answers (9)

Answer: Secondary liposuction is occasionally indicated but is somewhat harder due to scarring.

Answer: Secondary liposuction is occasionally indicated but is somewhat harder due to scarring.

Answer: Liposuction Revision

Answer: Liposuction Revision

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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Does Liposuction Cause Scar Tissue?

Answers (9)

Answer: Secondary liposuction is occasionally indicated but is somewhat harder due to scarring.

Answer: Secondary liposuction is occasionally indicated but is somewhat harder due to scarring.

Answer: Liposuction Revision

Answer: Liposuction Revision

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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