4 months post op lipo of the abdomen and I have these indentations. What can I do to help it go away? Is it permanent? (Photo)

Thank you for sending your pictures! At the 4 month mark, indentations are still considered to be part of the healing process. They can be caused from uneven swelling, internal scar tissue, and skin retraction. Most cases continue to get smoother with time from 6 to 12 months. Massage and lymphatic drainage can help soften the scar tissue and make a difference. Some surgeons use radiofrequency or ultrasound for mild contour irregularities to make an improvement. If the dents are still there, more than 9 to 12 months, then micro fat grafting or a small revision lipo are options for touch-up procedures.
Andaç Aykan, MD, Assoc. Prof

Treatment with Venus Legacy can be highly beneficial after liposuction to support healing and enhance results. The gentle radiofrequency and pulsed electromagnetic fields help reduce swelling, soften scar tissue, and improve circulation, which aids in lymphatic drainage and speeds recovery. It also helps tighten the skin and smooth out any irregularities, promoting a more refined and even contour. I would recommend 3-6 sessions.

Thank you for your question and photos. It is not uncommon to have areas of irregularities after liposuction. These often improve with time. I would recommend manual massage and the use of a massage device. This helps break up scar tissue, and improves lumps, bumps, and small indentations.

Hello and thank you for your question!

Skin irregularities can happen after liposuction. There are some that get better and some that don't. At 4 months post op, you are in the chronic phase of healing (meaning all of the acute inflammation, swelling, etc has gone down, but there are still slower changes happening as the tissue mature). Sometimes, areas of "induration" or lumps/bumps under the skin can be apparent during this time. These are commonly the "self-defense" mechanism of the fat cells remaining and their response to the inflammatory processes during the post op healing. These areas can commonly get better with time, massage and gentle warm compresses. Sometimes, skin irregularities happen because fat cells too close to the surface of the skin were removed. These sometimes get better on their own with time as tissues fully settle, and this can take 6-9+ months. Typically if sometime has not gotten better after this time frame, this could be permanent.

My best advice is to follow up with your surgeon of record and get their specific recommendations. Thanks again!

Thank you for your question and pictures. Developing irregularities after liposuction can occur in the abdomen or other areas. It sometimes can occur because of liposuction that was very aggressive or superficial. Sometimes these irregularities can occur due to scar formation and can improve with time. I would recommend scar massage to the areas and giving it more time. Make sure you follow up with your surgeon.

Hi, It's still a bit early in your recovery to know if these skin surface irregularities are permanent. There is no treatment laser or lotion that will reliably improve it except waiting. I hope that helps.

Indentations and irregularities following liposuction are generally caused by
1) liposuction performed too superficially and/or
2) indentations caused by folds in compression garments/ clothing during the healing process.
Hoping in your case that it is the latter, I would advise lymphatic massage and ensuring smooth-fitting clothing (avoid tight clothes that crease and constrict, tight waistbands/belts, etc).
If the issues persist beyond 1 year, I would recommend seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon in consultation for possible touch-up, which may be include non-invasive treatments or small procedures.
Best,
Dr. Maryam Zamani

Hello ! I would recommend taking your concerns up with the plastic surgeon that performed the surgery, it could be the type of liposuction that they performed. Depending on which liposuction the surgeon uses can depend on how long the healing process can take.

Following liposuction, especially of the abdomen, it is not uncommon to have mild surface contour irregularities. Although this may be due in part secondary to unequal liposuction, it is more likely secondary to the effects of scar tissue. Scar tissue starts to form several weeks after liposuction and the collagen micro filaments that make up scar tissue underlying the skin wherever liposuction was performed like to clump up. This causes a contraction of the scar tissue which can pull in the overlying skin which causes a depression and shadowing. We are able to manipulate this to some degree with scar massage. Your surgeon will be able to demonstrate techniques and frequency for this. Scar massage tends to be more vigorous and requires more force either by yourself or by a post-liposuction massage therapist. This is different than lymphatic massage which is performed in the immediate weeks after liposuction but before scar tissue starts to form. Often it can take 6 to 9 months to see the results from the time of surgery. Is also possible that although some of these contour irregularities may improve but they may not go away completely.

Unfortunately minor contour irregularities are the most common post-liposuction complication. In general they result from either uneven fat removal during the liposuction process or scarring/fibrosis of the remaining fat during healing. I would recommend aggressive lymphatic massage to help break up any scar tissue and fibrosis that may be forming and contributing to this appearance. Unfortunately, if they do not improve from massage, they likely will be permanent to some degree and may require revision liposuction to help smooth out these areas. I recommend meeting with your plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns and to get their opinion on how to manage this. Best of luck on your healing journey!