3 Years Post Lipo 360, Unhappy with Results - Hard Lumps and a Diagonal Line - How Can I fix This? (Photo)

Question

I had Lipo 360 performed 3 years ago after losing 40lbs, going from 180 to 140. I also paid extra for a skin tightening procedure. I lost the inches but developed hard lumps and a diagonal line on the right side of my abdomen, which I did not have prior to the procedure. I went back to the same surgeon a year later but he tried to sell me on a more expensive surgery. I workout 5 days a week and am very healthy, so I'm very disappointed with the results. I do not know if my abdomen is disentended or if I have scarring from the surgery. I was hoping that further healing might occur but 3 years later I realize nothing will change on it's own. Hoping to get advice and possible next steps I should take.

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

Dear Merkabaheart, The treatment for this problem is a tummy tuck and skin removal, no other treatment willl remove and tighten the loose skin.  This shows the importance of women being made aware of the consequences of abdominal liposuction in the presence of loose skin and the likelihood of causing loose skin from the liposuction.  The idea that "skin tightening" would have prevented this result is misleading patient counseling,  it would never happen.
  Below is a link to a patient I saw with lumps and irregularities and resolution after a tummy  tuck.  If "the more expensive" surgery the doctor wanted to "sell" you on was skin removal with a tummy tuck, it would have been an appropriate procedure,  but not unfortunately,  what you were expecting from your 360 liposuction.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear merkabaheart,

I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Frank Agullo, MD · Answer

Three years post-op, fibrosis isn't going to keep softening on its own. The hard lumps are thick scar tissue stuck in the deep fat layer. The diagonal line is a tethering band, where a scar is anchoring the skin down to the muscle, usually because the cannula passed too superficially or treated one area unevenly. Your skin laxity also makes those irregularities look more obvious than they really are, since looser skin won't drape smoothly over the underlying contour.

Depending on how much fibrosis and how much laxity are in play, the fix is sometimes a combination of VASER and SAFE lipo to break up the scar tissue, fat grafting to refill the contour dents, and Renuvion J-Plasma for skin tightening. In other cases, especially when laxity is significant, a tummy tuck is what actually solves the problem. A full in-person consultation with a revision-experienced plastic surgeon is the best way to figure out which path is right for your case.

#StayBeautiful,

@RealDrWorldWide

3 Years Post Lipo 360, Unhappy with Results - Hard Lumps and a Diagonal Line - How Can I fix This? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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