What causes dents in the skin after lipo?

Great question. The reality is, if there were no dents before the liposuction, there should not be dents after the procedure. Some people have skin with laxity, dents and ripples before liposuction which may be exacerbated after the liposuction. Much has to to with experience, technique and knowing in what conditions, and in what areas, liposculpture can be performed more extensively and when it must be performed much more conservatively. There are also times and conditions in which liposuction should not be performed. The abdomen is an area that is notorious for irregularities, dents and deformity when liposuction/liposculpture is done poorly, or with poor technique or performed in an over aggressive manor. Reducing thighs with poor technique can cause sagging skin and rippling and dents. Poor technique and simply just sucking out fat without attention to detail and lipo-sculpting can and will led to dents, deformity and asymmetry. When proper techniques are employed in the right candidates, there are even areas of lax skin, such in the arms, where results can be dramatic without contour irregularities. It is the experienced surgeon who has to "read" the skin quality and characteristics in different areas and know which techniques to use and how aggressive to be for those tissues in that area. In summary, rippling, dents and irregularities can be caused from poor technique, over aggressive treatment, liposuction performed on patients and areas that are not good candidates, scarring from improper use of laser or ultrasonic assisted liposuction machines, and even excessively tight post op garments. Lastly it is important for people to realize that it is not the machines and the technology that are providing the results, as marketing has led people to believe. Certain machines like ultrasonic assisted liposuction, Smart Lipo, or laser assisted liposuction DO NOT produce better results or even faster recovery as marketed. Actually, in the wrong hands, these machines can produce more and even worse complications. Most important to understand, it is the eyes, the hands, the skill and the experience of the surgeon who produces the results, not the technology.Best wishes. Dr Sam Gershenbaum

Without seeing you in person, it is impossible to say for sure. If you are still healing, the dents could be from swelling irregularities and/or your compression garment. Or the liposuction could have been uneven which is most commonly a problem in the lower tummy and inner arm area. Speak with your surgeon about your concerns and see what he or she says. Best, Dr. Nazarian

The most common cause of contour irregularity after liposuction is differential swelling. Redundancies of skin are possibility. Impressions from poorly fitting compressive garments can create issues. Bring the areas of concern to the attention of your surgeon.