Fibrosis 8 Months Post AirSculpt/Lipo - should I look into corrective treatment now? (Photo)

Question

I’m 43 and very active. I chose to get AirSculpt to address my “muffin top.” Originally, I was told they could treat just my flanks, but I was advised it might look uneven unless I did the full abdomen, so I proceeded with the entire area. I was told I could resume training and stretching as tolerated, but because I have a high pain tolerance, I was concerned about overdoing it. My research suggested that pushing too hard could increase irritation or fibrosis, so I proceeded cautiously and did a few lymphatic massage sessions. Now I’m 8 months post-procedure and still experiencing noticeable hardness, adhesions, and irregularities. My surgeon says lean people notice lumps more and that healing can take up to a year, but I’m unsure waiting another 4 months will make a difference. I’ve also read that the longer fibrosis goes untreated, the harder it is to correct. I’m looking for guidance on whether this is likely to improve with more time or if I should be taking additional steps now.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your history and your photos so clearly. I completely understand your concern. Dealing with persistent hardness, adhesions, and irregularities months after liposuction can be frustrating, especially when you’re active and were hoping for a smooth result.

What you’re describing, firmness, lumps, and uneven texture, is most consistent with post-liposuction fibrosis, which is essentially scar tissue forming under the skin. This is more noticeable in lean patients, and while some improvement can continue for up to a year, 8 months in is already a point where persistent areas may not resolve entirely on their own.

Here’s what’s important to consider:

Mild fibrosis can continue to soften with time, lymphatic massage, and gentle mobilization.

Persistent or dense adhesions that haven’t improved by 6–8 months often benefit from targeted intervention, because the longer scar tissue remains, the more resistant it can become to non-invasive measures.

Corrective options may include:

Manual or instrument-assisted scar tissue release (subcision, cannula-based release)

Focused energy-based treatments to soften fibrotic tissue

In some cases, a revision liposuction approach to smooth irregularities

Waiting another 4 months might help slightly if the fibrosis is still mild, but if the adhesions are dense and bothersome, early corrective treatment usually gives better, more predictable results than waiting until it’s fully “set.”

Your cautious approach post-procedure was wise, as overactivity can aggravate fibrosis, but now the priority is assessing which areas are amenable to release and smoothing, rather than simply hoping they will resolve on their own.

In short: some improvement with time is possible, but at 8 months, proactive steps can often make the difference between moderate and optimal contour.

Fibrosis 8 Months Post AirSculpt/Lipo - should I look into corrective treatment now? (Photo)

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