Hard lumps 3 weeks after Smart Lipo. Will this go away over time? (photos)

Question

I'm a 28 year old male who had SmartLipo Triplex on my flanks/love handles exactly 3 weeks ago tomorrow. I'm pleased with the results as far as fat reduction goes, as I am noticeably slimmer. However, I still have hardness and some lumps on both sides, especially my right side. I have been wearing my compression garment since the procedure. Lumps were worse on my left side, but that has gone down a bit. Do you think this will go away over time? (don't mind the water on my shorts lol)

Basil Pakeman, MD · Answer

You have just described the normal healing process of liposuction which includes swelling lumpiness to feel and not to look. This will all go away as you heal. The full healing process for liposuction is about 6 month on average. This doesn't mean you will look swollen for 6 month. Most of the swelling  and lumpiness is greatly diminished at 6-8 weeks.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

Some temporary firm lumps are common after Smart Lipo. These can take several weeks to months to fade. Massages and compression usually help.Close follow up with your plastic surgeon is recommended during this time for instructions.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Pending a formal evaluation, you may be a good candidate for a Revision Liposuction. You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best. 
The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heats the skin with radiofrequency devices such as Renuvion (J-Plasma), InMode BodyTite, and ThermiRF to heat the undersurface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HI-DEF VASER Liposuction and can only be done by a well-trained body contouring specialist. At the same time, fat should be harvested and purified, with PRP and stem cells added, and then injected into muscles, indentations and cellulite to get body shaping and contouring. For a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), we inject the fat into the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with a combination of Cellfina, subcision, and/or fillers such as Bellafill, Renuva synthetic fat, or Sculptra. If skin is very loose before surgery, then it will need to be removed: tummy tuck/abdominoplasty for lower abdominal skin; breast lift for excess breast skin; and/or a brachioplasty for loose arm skin. Overall, you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Paul E. Cox, MD · Answer

Yes, this is part of the healing process and expected up to 6-8 weeks after the procedure. This is one of the reasons we do the first follow up visit with the physician at the 4-6 week time frame. These firm areas are not permanent, they will resolve with time.

Gregory Chambon, MD · Answer

You are far from healed and far from your final result (6 months). Areas that are lumpy, if hard and sore represent deep bruising and will take time to resolve. Be patient at this point and trust the process.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.Everything you are experiencing at this point is to be expected. Continue to follow your post op instructions and contact your surgeon with any concerns. Best of luck!

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is common to have lumps after liposuction, which usually get better in 3 months. Massage will help. Please check with your PS

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

You really should have been provided with all that information ahead of time by you're treating plastic surgeon. A patient who has had smartlipo will have swelling as well as hardness and sometimes palpable lumps that come and go over a period of approximately 3 months following the procedure. I hope this helps and good luck from New York City

Joseph Franzese, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Hard areas, lumps, swelling, inflammation, etc are all completely normal at this point.  Wearing the compression garment, massage, hydration, etc will all help over time.  These should resolve over 3-6 months.  However, some patients will need a revision after liposuction.

Randy Dean, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and
welcome to our forum!
Congratulations
on your recent procedure...The procedure of liposuction is an
"insult" to the soft tissues, resulting in swelling which will
initially totally obscure the operative result. The
purpose of a compression garment is to prevent bleeding and to control
swelling. We usually recommend its use for the first 4-6 weeks after the
procedure. Swelling will subside unevenly at first. 60-80%
of the swelling should subside within the first 6 weeks, with the remainder
slowly subsiding over 6-12 months.
Initial lumpiness is normal unless seroma or hematoma is suspected.
Continue
followup care with your plastic surgeon. Make sure he / she is aware of the areas of your concern.
Best wishes...

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