How can I avoid getting dents after liposuction?

Thanks for the question, as the body is settling after surgery surface irregularities are normal as the scar tissue is settling. Things you can do to help prevent permanent asymmetries is to make sure your garment does not have a firm fold in it that is digging into your skin, that your garment is of appropriate size, use of post operative radio frequency treatments to speed up softening and smoothing of scar tissue

Dear Karla16,if your surgery was performed carefully and if you follow your surgeon's post-surgery protocol you probably won't have any major issue.  You should wear your compression garment as instructed. Minor irregularities will reshape in the next few months. If you have any concerns, please consult with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

I recommend following up with your Doctor about their after care protocol following your procedures. For liposuction after care, I recommend adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression to help decrease swelling. To improve your final results, I also recommend adding vanquish for further fat removal, exilis/venus legacy for skin tightening, cellutone/z wave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Dents happen when the surgeon takes too much fat too close to the skin surface. So, if you are going to develop them, the deed is done at this point. The best thing that you can do now is to wear your compression garment and follow your surgeon's post op protocol to the letter. It's going to take time for your swelling to subside and for you to achieve your final results so be patient and don't panic if things look funny for awhile. It's a process. 

Dents after liposuction occur when the Plastic Surgeon takes too much fat close to the skin surface. Pick a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon that has experience!

Prolonged focal pressure over sites that have had liposuction can results in contour irregularities and dents. Even seams on compression garments can produce this but, hopefully, only temporarily. Therefore you want to avoid such localized pressure. Often massaging of the liposuctioned areas several times a time can reduce the risk of this occurring. You should discuss this same question with your operating surgeon.Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Thanks for the great question! There are 2 main things that help to prevent the formation of dents, or contour irregularities. The first is the technique used during surgery. There are newer techniques being used now for liposuction which really help to minimize the dents formed after surgery. The second thing that helps is compression. I put all of my patients in compression with foam for the first 10-14 days, then have them wear a compression garment or spanx for another 10 weeks! I know that seems like a pain, but it really helps to keep all of the tissue smooth and in place. Ask your surgery if any of these options might be good for you. Best of luck and congratulations on your surgery!~Dr. Sieber

Dear Karla16

I'm not completely sure what you mean when you describe "a line dent".  Depending on your posture and position the soft tissue will fold in response to that.  It does not necessarily follow that a permanent crease will develop in this area.  If you wear your compression garment, do not remain in one postiion for extended periods of time and follow you other post-op instructions you should do fine.  The dents after liposuction you may be referring to could represent small areas of contour irregularities that were either present pre-operatively as cellulite, or post-op from too superficial passage of the liposuction canula.  Also the early swelling after the procedure can result in differential contour that typically smooths out over time.  Be sure too keep your follow-up with your surgeon and ask any questions you have to him or her. Hope this helps
James Sheridan, MD
Austin, TX

Dentist after liposuction are caused by irregular fat removal and liposuctioning to close to the undersurface of the skin.  Continue to wear your compression garments and you should be fine. I do not think sitting will create the dents.

Liposuction areas may have some waviness which will go with time.   There may be deeper dents that do not  go away.   Massage helps prevent dents but there is no guarantee.   If dents occur it may require more surgery.   My Best,  Dr Commons