What Are Those Long Sausage Roll Shaped Hard Lumps in my Inner Thighs? Fat Fibrosis?

Question

3 months post-op following large volume lipo (12 litres) on thighs and knees. I have these long thick sausage roll hard lumps inside my legs (inner thighs). They are so hard and feel like fat fibrosis, maybe made from the cannula in and out tunnel. My legs are hurting badly and swollen. I have electrical chocs and burning in my legs all the time. My doctor from Dominican Republic doesn't answer my e-mails or calls. No plastic surgeons want to do follow-ups because my surgery was done elswhere.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your situation.  It is hard to determine what exactly is going on without a detailed examination and a copy of the records of the other surgeon. You find yourself caught of a sticky wicket because your surgery was performed outside the U.S.  You will continue to try to see if any U.S. surgeon with see or continue to try to get your treating surgeon in the Dominican to answer your questions.

	 

	Dr. ES

Hayley Brown, MD, FACS · Answer

12 liters of liposuction in one setting is much more fat removal than board certified plastic surgeons would ever consider here in the US. I have never even heard of 12 liters of fat removed from only the thighs. Liposuction candidates should be of relatively normal weight, with localized areas of disproportionate fatty deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. It is not intended for weight loss. Here in the United States, we have guidelines for safe liposuction which generally include no more than 5-6 liters of aspirate in one setting. It is critically important that you have surgery performed by board certified plastic surgeons. Unfortunately, you get what you pay for. Complications regularly occur when patients have discounted surgery or go to other countries for surgery not knowing the training of their surgeon. Many of these complications are uncorrectable and can cause long-term deformity and disability. It is not surprising that you cannot find a plastic surgeon who will take on your complications. Your best option is to return to the "doctor" who performed your surgery or go to the emergency room or your general doctor for any urgent problem. A public university hospital may see you for medically necessary issues.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Firmness is expected after liposuction The ASPS recommends aspirating less than 5 liters as an outpatient. Personally I do not perform large volume liposuction. You may have developed a large hematoma in this area and now it has become a fibrotic cord. There may also be an induration. Basically the fat cells that were left behind have swollen. It takes time for this to resolve, usually 3 months.

What Are Those Long Sausage Roll Shaped Hard Lumps in my Inner Thighs? Fat Fibrosis?

Answers (3)