I had liposuction on my neck, lower blepharoplasty, and fat transfer to my face and under my eyes 9 days ago. I just wanted the fat under my eyes to correct hollowness, but the doctor thought I'd look great with it transferred to cheeks, lips, etc..
I'm looking great, but during my massage, I noticed a small painful cyst right between the outer edge of my eye and temple. So then, I explored further and deeper with my hands; there are also two larger lumps (peanut sized), in the exact same spot on either side of my jawline. They don't feel cystic, they feel lumpy and flat-shaped. Also, right under my chin, I have 2 two pea-sized lumps directly across each other.
I also discovered a large inflammed-feeling asymmetrical lump on the right side of my Adam's apple that stretches all the way up under my jawline. Of most concern to me is the small cyst near my eye, and the large sore lump on my neck.
I'm hoping the lumps on both sides of my jaw and the two on the underside of my chin are just fat that will soften. Right now, the cyst by my eye is small. Is this from the liposuction or fat transfer? What if it fills up and becomes large?
I love the way my face looks and hope I wont have to have excisions. I don't want scars! I wonder if he will aspirate the cyst, but couldn't it fill up again? I've seen others with similar problems on the message board, and doctors suggesting to wait it out. But I don't want to 'wait it out' for these things to become bigger. Is this normal? Any suggestions or advice before I go see the doctor tomorrow? Thanks.
Answer: Facial fat transfer Thanks for your question. It sounds like what you've described could be a few things including small hematomas (collections of blood) or collections of necrosing fat. It is unlikely that these are new cysts that have sprung up in the last nine days. You state: "I've seen others with similar problems on the message board, and doctors suggesting to wait it out. But I don't want to "wait it out" for these things to become bigger." This is a common feeling - you just want things to move along and that's a completely normal thing to want. But in these cases sometimes intervening (aspirating things that should go away on their own) can cause other problems. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon. I hope this helps.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
Answer: Facial fat transfer Thanks for your question. It sounds like what you've described could be a few things including small hematomas (collections of blood) or collections of necrosing fat. It is unlikely that these are new cysts that have sprung up in the last nine days. You state: "I've seen others with similar problems on the message board, and doctors suggesting to wait it out. But I don't want to "wait it out" for these things to become bigger." This is a common feeling - you just want things to move along and that's a completely normal thing to want. But in these cases sometimes intervening (aspirating things that should go away on their own) can cause other problems. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon. I hope this helps.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
Answer: Let yourself heal Lots of temporary contour issues after surgery so be patient until you heal. Fat grafts can initially be lumpy until the inflammatory process subsides. Frequently, after the swelling subsides the lumps may still be felt, but do not cause a lump that is visible on the face.
Helpful
Answer: Let yourself heal Lots of temporary contour issues after surgery so be patient until you heal. Fat grafts can initially be lumpy until the inflammatory process subsides. Frequently, after the swelling subsides the lumps may still be felt, but do not cause a lump that is visible on the face.
Helpful
March 11, 2009
Answer: You are only 9 days after the procedure - no need to worry You are only 9 days after your procedure - there is no need to worry. My advice is to leave it alone. After any procedure and especially any injections, you are bound to get localized areas of swelling. It takes several weeks for these to dissolve. You just need to be patient and, in all likelihood, you will be very happy. If you post some pictures, we may be able to give you more specific advice.
Helpful
March 11, 2009
Answer: You are only 9 days after the procedure - no need to worry You are only 9 days after your procedure - there is no need to worry. My advice is to leave it alone. After any procedure and especially any injections, you are bound to get localized areas of swelling. It takes several weeks for these to dissolve. You just need to be patient and, in all likelihood, you will be very happy. If you post some pictures, we may be able to give you more specific advice.
Helpful
March 11, 2009
Answer: Irregularities after liposuction, fat transfer, and blepharoplasty You have been provided with excellent advice. It really is too early to make any final predictions. I generally advise my patients to allow about 3 weeks to assess the "take" of fat grafts. With liposuction, the disrupted fat is not always completely evacuated by the suctions, and sometimes devascularized fat may remain behind. I would remain in close contact with your surgeon.
Helpful
March 11, 2009
Answer: Irregularities after liposuction, fat transfer, and blepharoplasty You have been provided with excellent advice. It really is too early to make any final predictions. I generally advise my patients to allow about 3 weeks to assess the "take" of fat grafts. With liposuction, the disrupted fat is not always completely evacuated by the suctions, and sometimes devascularized fat may remain behind. I would remain in close contact with your surgeon.
Helpful
March 11, 2009
Answer: Lumpness shortly after surgery You should address these concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon. These types of problems are common shortly after surgery but may need attention, in case aspiration / steroid injection/ etc. are warranted. Although it seems that lumpiness after surgery is firm and won't go away, in the vast majority of patients, it does. Patients who "wait it out" and have a successful resolution are glad they did not rush back to the operating room. In general, swelling occurs shortly after surgery because leaky capillaries are shuttling white blood cells to the area to heal the wound, and water leaks out in the process, making the tissues firm. The healing process is never symmetrical. Wound healing is quite complex and mysterious, even now. I was never more confused about wound healing than right after I wrote a book chapter on the subject in a surgical textbook.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
March 11, 2009
Answer: Lumpness shortly after surgery You should address these concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon. These types of problems are common shortly after surgery but may need attention, in case aspiration / steroid injection/ etc. are warranted. Although it seems that lumpiness after surgery is firm and won't go away, in the vast majority of patients, it does. Patients who "wait it out" and have a successful resolution are glad they did not rush back to the operating room. In general, swelling occurs shortly after surgery because leaky capillaries are shuttling white blood cells to the area to heal the wound, and water leaks out in the process, making the tissues firm. The healing process is never symmetrical. Wound healing is quite complex and mysterious, even now. I was never more confused about wound healing than right after I wrote a book chapter on the subject in a surgical textbook.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
March 11, 2009
Answer: You will get more lumps as you heal Dear NN You are very early in your healing from these proceudres. With any fat transfer and liposuction, the fat heals with lumpy firmness at first. This will be at its greatest between 4 and 6 weeks after the procedure. Then this resolves after this, and typically by 4 to 6 months, all of lump that are going to resolve have done so. It is possible to have cysts and unsightly rolls of fullness after a fat transfer but you are so soon after your surgery, these are frankly more likely to be swelling and inflammation associated with the healing process. What persists after 6 months will need attention. So try not to be too concerned about what you are feeling and seen right now. In particular, if you can feel something but it can't be seen on the skin surface, it is not worth losing sleep over. Give yourself permission to heal. It is likely that your doctor went over this or it was in your consent, but hearing this information and living it are two different things. Again, please let the RealSelf community know how you healing process went so others can learn from your experiences.
Helpful
March 11, 2009
Answer: You will get more lumps as you heal Dear NN You are very early in your healing from these proceudres. With any fat transfer and liposuction, the fat heals with lumpy firmness at first. This will be at its greatest between 4 and 6 weeks after the procedure. Then this resolves after this, and typically by 4 to 6 months, all of lump that are going to resolve have done so. It is possible to have cysts and unsightly rolls of fullness after a fat transfer but you are so soon after your surgery, these are frankly more likely to be swelling and inflammation associated with the healing process. What persists after 6 months will need attention. So try not to be too concerned about what you are feeling and seen right now. In particular, if you can feel something but it can't be seen on the skin surface, it is not worth losing sleep over. Give yourself permission to heal. It is likely that your doctor went over this or it was in your consent, but hearing this information and living it are two different things. Again, please let the RealSelf community know how you healing process went so others can learn from your experiences.
Helpful