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What are the hard knots/bumps under the skin after having Cellfina?

I had Cellfina 3 wks ago and now have numerous hard bumps/knots under my skin, from 0.5 - 1 inch in size. I'm still in the recovery phase and my plastic surgeon says they're normal, so I'm not worried. However, I'm curious - what are they? If they're trapped fluid, should I do lymphatic massage? Or are they deep hematomas (I no longer have much visible bruising)? Any info on what these knots/bumps are, and anything I can do to speed their resolution, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Doctor Answers 14

Bumps after Cellfina

June 20th, 2017
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Although Cellfina is a minimally invasive procedure, the body does still have a natural inflammatory reaction.  The small lumps that you are feeling are likely localized areas of swelling and scar tissue where a puncture was made and a dimple released.  This is not permanent; time and gentle massage will help these lumps resolve.  If you do have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact your surgeon who will be more than happy to answer any of your questions!

Mitchell Brown, MD
June 20th, 2017

Bumps after Cellfina

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Although Cellfina is a minimally invasive procedure, the body does still have a natural inflammatory reaction.  The small lumps that you are feeling are likely localized areas of swelling and scar tissue where a puncture was made and a dimple released.  This is not permanent; time and gentle massage will help these lumps resolve.  If you do have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact your surgeon who will be more than happy to answer any of your questions!

Mitchell Brown, MD

Knots after Cellfina

December 12th, 2016
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Thank you for your question.

It is not uncommon to have some firm areas where you had the Cellfina treatment performed. This is likely due to a small amount of scar tissue that builds up after the injury to the fibrous bands that were released during the procedure. Like any scar on the body, the body will naturally soften these areas as they heal. Do not be discouraged. Gentle massage can help the areas soften more quickly.

Best Regards,

Dr. Stutman

Ross Stutman, MD

Ross Stutman, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 6 reviews

December 12th, 2016

Knots after Cellfina

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Thank you for your question.

It is not uncommon to have some firm areas where you had the Cellfina treatment performed. This is likely due to a small amount of scar tissue that builds up after the injury to the fibrous bands that were released during the procedure. Like any scar on the body, the body will naturally soften these areas as they heal. Do not be discouraged. Gentle massage can help the areas soften more quickly.

Best Regards,

Dr. Stutman

Ross Stutman, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Cellfina Recovery

September 23rd, 2016
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During the recovery period after treatment with the Cellfina System, fluid accumulation and tissue hardening are normal side-effects from the procedure. As patients heal from the release of the tethering bands underneath the skin, fluid accumulates and tissue begins to swell. Using compression therapy helps reduce this swelling and promote healing. As new tissue is developing, tissue hardening can develop in the treatment areas. The hardened nodules under the skin are a sign of fluid accumulation or scar tissue, and they will diminish over time. Gentle massage can be helpful for patients to minimize discomfort and accelerate the resolution of hardened tissue. Your board-certified plastic surgeon is your best resource in your recovery period. Good luck and congratulations on your procedure!

Web reference: https://www.liuplasticsurgery.com/non-surgical/cellfina-cellulite-treatment/#recovery

Tom S. Liu, MD, MBA
September 23rd, 2016

Cellfina Recovery

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During the recovery period after treatment with the Cellfina System, fluid accumulation and tissue hardening are normal side-effects from the procedure. As patients heal from the release of the tethering bands underneath the skin, fluid accumulates and tissue begins to swell. Using compression therapy helps reduce this swelling and promote healing. As new tissue is developing, tissue hardening can develop in the treatment areas. The hardened nodules under the skin are a sign of fluid accumulation or scar tissue, and they will diminish over time. Gentle massage can be helpful for patients to minimize discomfort and accelerate the resolution of hardened tissue. Your board-certified plastic surgeon is your best resource in your recovery period. Good luck and congratulations on your procedure!

Learn more: https://www.liuplasticsurgery.com/non-surgical/cellfina-cellulite-treatment/#recovery

Tom S. Liu, MD, MBA

Knots post op

August 19th, 2016
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Cellfina is THE ONLY FDA cleared treatment for long term elimination of cellulite! It does not help with skin tightening however, so you'll need to address that after your procedure if that is something you're concerned about as well. As for the "knots" people are posting about: this is most likely the fibrous nodules that can harden after the bands have been severed. A small amount of scar tissue may form as well. Compression is important after Cellfina to minimize swelling. Warm compress and light massage daily can help these bumps to resolve faster, and will also settle any discomfort. Cellfina is only FDA cleared for treatment ton the posterior upper 2/3 thighs, and buttocks, not yet for stomach. 
I hope this helps, be well. #cellfina #cellulitereduction #bellyfat
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS
August 19th, 2016

Knots post op

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Cellfina is THE ONLY FDA cleared treatment for long term elimination of cellulite! It does not help with skin tightening however, so you'll need to address that after your procedure if that is something you're concerned about as well. As for the "knots" people are posting about: this is most likely the fibrous nodules that can harden after the bands have been severed. A small amount of scar tissue may form as well. Compression is important after Cellfina to minimize swelling. Warm compress and light massage daily can help these bumps to resolve faster, and will also settle any discomfort. Cellfina is only FDA cleared for treatment ton the posterior upper 2/3 thighs, and buttocks, not yet for stomach. 
I hope this helps, be well. #cellfina #cellulitereduction #bellyfat
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS

Cellfina Recovery

July 31st, 2016
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Every patient will have a different response to Cellfina treatment.  This has to do with different number and size of the dimples or depressions being treated, the age of the patient, medications the patient takes, or other health conditions.  In all cases, however, it is expected there will be at least 2-4 weeks of firm or nodular tissue in the areas treated.  This is in part due to the controlled injury that the treatment requires, the body's inflammatory response, and sometimes due to bruising from the procedure.
The important thing is not to worry and be patient.  Gentle massage and light exercise may also help.  Generally, if your health permits, non-steroidal anti inflammatory medication can relieve some of the discomfort associated with these areas.  Talk to your surgeon to be sure.
Continue being ptient and you will see the benefits!  Best of luck to you.

Paul K. Holden, MD

Paul K. Holden, MD
Phoenix Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 53 reviews

July 31st, 2016

Cellfina Recovery

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Every patient will have a different response to Cellfina treatment.  This has to do with different number and size of the dimples or depressions being treated, the age of the patient, medications the patient takes, or other health conditions.  In all cases, however, it is expected there will be at least 2-4 weeks of firm or nodular tissue in the areas treated.  This is in part due to the controlled injury that the treatment requires, the body's inflammatory response, and sometimes due to bruising from the procedure.
The important thing is not to worry and be patient.  Gentle massage and light exercise may also help.  Generally, if your health permits, non-steroidal anti inflammatory medication can relieve some of the discomfort associated with these areas.  Talk to your surgeon to be sure.
Continue being ptient and you will see the benefits!  Best of luck to you.

Paul K. Holden, MD

Paul K. Holden, MD
Phoenix Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 53 reviews

Cellfina produces cellulite improvement without stitches

May 9th, 2016
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Although there is no surgery with a scalpel blade, Cellfina is a minimally invasive procedure, so there is inflammation which is the normal healing process, especially felt near the insertion sites because of the movement of the needle against the skin as it's severing the collagen bands deeper in the dermis. As inflammation causes firmness temporarily, we see this commonly, and most patients don't develop unsightly scars. The insertion sites will feel firmer than the surrounding skin and over time this hardness softens.
The exception is if the patient is a keloid former. In this case, if a hypertrophic scar, keloid or post treatment darkening develops,  this may take many treatments of medication injection, laser treatment and topical therapy to improve the result.

Web reference: http://www.thenyac.com/cellfina/

Ronald Shelton, MD

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 37 reviews

May 9th, 2016

Cellfina produces cellulite improvement without stitches

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Although there is no surgery with a scalpel blade, Cellfina is a minimally invasive procedure, so there is inflammation which is the normal healing process, especially felt near the insertion sites because of the movement of the needle against the skin as it's severing the collagen bands deeper in the dermis. As inflammation causes firmness temporarily, we see this commonly, and most patients don't develop unsightly scars. The insertion sites will feel firmer than the surrounding skin and over time this hardness softens.
The exception is if the patient is a keloid former. In this case, if a hypertrophic scar, keloid or post treatment darkening develops,  this may take many treatments of medication injection, laser treatment and topical therapy to improve the result.

Learn more: http://www.thenyac.com/cellfina/

Ronald Shelton, MD

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 37 reviews

What are the hard knots/bumps under the skin after having Cellfina?

April 28th, 2016
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Thank you for your great question! Cellfina is the only FDA approved treatment that minimizes the appearance of dimpling caused by cellulite. However, it does not treat laxity of skin that is sometimes confused to be cellulite. The bumps or knots that you are feeling on the puncture sites are not unusual. They are commonly due to the swelling of tissue or can be a small collection of fluid that typically resolves on it's own over time. Massaging can help but it's best to ask your surgeon what they recommend prior to starting any self-treatment. Remember, results get better over time so be patient!
Dan Mills, MD

Dan Mills, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 33 reviews

April 28th, 2016

What are the hard knots/bumps under the skin after having Cellfina?

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Thank you for your great question! Cellfina is the only FDA approved treatment that minimizes the appearance of dimpling caused by cellulite. However, it does not treat laxity of skin that is sometimes confused to be cellulite. The bumps or knots that you are feeling on the puncture sites are not unusual. They are commonly due to the swelling of tissue or can be a small collection of fluid that typically resolves on it's own over time. Massaging can help but it's best to ask your surgeon what they recommend prior to starting any self-treatment. Remember, results get better over time so be patient!
Dan Mills, MD

Dan Mills, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 33 reviews

Bumps after Cellfina

April 18th, 2016
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Those little hard bumps are simply what we call little areas of induration - basically some inflammation and swelling as your body reacts to having the procedure.  A little light massage (usually during a warm shower) will help them go away faster, but they will go away over the next month or so.  Nothing to worry about.
Cain R. Linville, MD
April 18th, 2016

Bumps after Cellfina

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Those little hard bumps are simply what we call little areas of induration - basically some inflammation and swelling as your body reacts to having the procedure.  A little light massage (usually during a warm shower) will help them go away faster, but they will go away over the next month or so.  Nothing to worry about.
Cain R. Linville, MD

Cellfina

April 15th, 2016
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There should not be anything deep.  The whole treatment takes place at 5mm to 10mm below the skin surface.  There can be fluid and blood accumulate in these areas.  Although I have not had a patient need any fluid removed this has been reported.  Follow up with your surgeon closely.  I have encourage gentle massage as well.
Robert Whitfield, MD, FACS
April 15th, 2016

Cellfina

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There should not be anything deep.  The whole treatment takes place at 5mm to 10mm below the skin surface.  There can be fluid and blood accumulate in these areas.  Although I have not had a patient need any fluid removed this has been reported.  Follow up with your surgeon closely.  I have encourage gentle massage as well.
Robert Whitfield, MD, FACS

Post Cellfina treatment

March 28th, 2016
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Cellfina allows us to cut the fibrous bands responsible for cellulite. After we do so, the body forms an inflammatory response to the procedure bringing in swelling fluid, collagen and ridding the area of any accumulated blood. This is what causes the bumps you are feeling. They should get better over time and we have found massage to be helpful. Discuss with  your surgeon their routine for dealing with these areas of inflammation.
Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS
March 28th, 2016

Post Cellfina treatment

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Cellfina allows us to cut the fibrous bands responsible for cellulite. After we do so, the body forms an inflammatory response to the procedure bringing in swelling fluid, collagen and ridding the area of any accumulated blood. This is what causes the bumps you are feeling. They should get better over time and we have found massage to be helpful. Discuss with  your surgeon their routine for dealing with these areas of inflammation.
Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.