2 months post-op revision on my thighs. Do I have swelling? Is this part of the healing process? (photos)

Question

Had a liposuction revision 2 months and 3 days ago - haven't done mld yet but I have this in my thighs and I don't know if it's swelling or what ? It's soft and doesn't hurt - is it just the normal healing process ?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello.
Great question. Thank you for your pictures. At 2 months post op, it is still early to see your final results. It can take up to six months for all swelling to go down. Keep following up with your surgeon to rule out any fluid collection.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear mounafadiga,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination, but based on your photo, it looks like there is swollen area. It can be caused by liposuction and part of normal healing process or it can be a fluid collection like seroma. I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment. Only after thorough examination you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

What you're looking at are your results. At two months your results are close enough to final that you will not see much change from here on.  It looks to me like you were over treated.  It's possible you were over treated from the first procedure as well leaving a Undesirable results in Liposuction your surgeon attempted to correct with more liposuction.  I don't know if that's the case because I don't have sufficient information.  What I do know is that I liposuction is technically difficult, never gives amazing patient satisfaction and should be treated with caution. I also am a big fan of avoiding spot treatment cheating only certain areas without properly blending or taking them the rest of the anatomic area into consideration.  For example, if I do liposuction of the inner thigh it will always be blended across the entire anterior thigh onto the back via etc.  I would never liposuction only the inner thigh without slowly and gradually taking out fat in the adjacent areas to get a smooth even contour.  Some people call this feathering.  Unfortunately excessive liposuction is almost impossible to correct.  I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this but I speak the truth.  Fat transfer doesn't work because there is no longer post tissue to support the graft.  The only option is a third revision which by definition requires removing more fat onto the adjacent areas to create a blending affect.  This in a sense takes an over treated area and continues the overtreatment into adjacent areas to at least get a natural transition at best.  I could be wrong, this is only my opinion and I'm going by very limited information.  Your surgeon is the most informative person since he or she did the procedures.  Whether that person is armed with the knowledge, skill and experience to make an accurate assessment, explain this in regular English and offer solutions is a different question.  Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

2 months post-op revision on my thighs. Do I have swelling? Is this part of the healing process? (photos)

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction Revision

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

2 months post-op revision on my thighs. Do I have swelling? Is this part of the healing process? (photos)

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction Revision

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