Lumpy, Uneven, Hard Stomach After Liposuction? (photo)

Your abdomen looks so good after 1 week because there was still swelling present which caused the tissue to look smooth and even.  At 2 weeks, some of the swelling has gone down (edema fluid) and now you can see the pre-scar formation on your abdomen.  As you can see, the fat has separated into bands similar to the bands you had on your abdomen before the liposuction, and those were the normal folds.  You should have worn a compression garment, preferably with a piece of Reston foam over the middle portion of your abdomen to decrease this type of formation. 

Technically, there are some free fat cells which are knocked off their moorings, and they migrate both above and below your skin folds after liposuction.  These get trapped in clumps above and below skin folds held together by fluid and some blood components, and if not treated, can turn to scar tissue which may be difficult or impossible to get rid of. 

If you were my patient, even at 2 weeks, I would have you begin wearing a pressure garment with Reston foam.  I would begin you on ultrasound (the kind physical therapists use for sore muscles) 2-3 times per week, 20 minutes per session.  I would begin using DMSO immediately to decrease bruising and swelling.

There is a bigger question here.  How old are you and how many children have you had?  If you are young, i.e. under 40 and have had no children and no large weight gain or loss in your life, then possibly this question is moot.  However, if you had children, if you are older or had big weight gains or losses, then you may have been a more appropriate candidate for a skin resection to include a tummy tuck rather than a liposuction. 

Thank you for your question and for submitting your photos. It is not uncommon in the early post operative period to begin to see lumps and uneven areas following liposuction. You are still very early in your recovery period so I would not worry too much at this time.  Massaging the area can help soften harder areas and smooth out uneven areas but you should check with your PS if you are clear to start massaging.Normally I recommend compression garments for 4-6 weeks post liposuction however, this can vary from patient to patient and from PS to another.Hope this helps.

Thanks for the question. After Liposuction surgery, 3-9 months you still see progress in the performance of the surgery. After 1 month you will still have swellings and it is still early to say something about the final result. You should follow up the progress with your surgeon. I wish you all the best.