Infection after Vaser Liposuction - what are my options for a possible revision?

Question

I had 360 Vaser Lipo in July. In September I developed the first abscess. I continued to develop them,I went back to my PS who couldn’t say why. I did my own research and decided it was mycobacterium fortuitum, as confirmed by an infectious disease dr. I am on doxy for the next few months but still feel tracks under my skin. I am tired, frustrated and have paid so much in medical bills. I hate how I look. At what point can I go to a new PS for eval & possible revisions?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Pending a formal evaluation, you may be a good candidate for a Revision Liposuction. You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.

The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heats the skin with radiofrequency devices such as Renuvion (J-Plasma), InMode BodyTite, and ThermiRF to heat the undersurface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HI-DEF VASER Liposuction and can only be done by a well-trained body contouring specialist. At the same time, fat should be harvested and purified, with PRP and stem cells added, and then injected into muscles, indentations and cellulite to get body shaping and contouring. For a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), we inject the fat into the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with a combination of QWO or Cellfina, subcision, and/or fillers such as Bellafill, Renuva synthetic fat, or Sculptra. If skin is very loose before surgery, then it will need to be removed: tummy tuck/abdominoplasty for lower abdominal skin; breast lift for excess breast skin; and/or a brachioplasty for loose arm skin. Overall, you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

The minimal waiting period between procedures would be 6 months from the date of the original procedure.

The definitive correction for liposuction deformities requires the advanced technology of ultrasound assisted VASER liposuction. As an official trainer of VASER liposuction, I encounter suboptimal liposuction outcome referrals weekly. VASER liposuction has been the only modality that has consistently corrected liposuction caused deformities. VASER liposuction ensures a smooth contour regardless of severity of contour irregularities by virtue of being able to remove any and all remaining fat comprehensively and uniformly. Finally, when skin redundancy irregularities are observed, Renuvion technology can be simultaneously applied to tighten your skin to optimize your overall contour outcome. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a VASER specialist will help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.

Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Infections after liposuction are fairly uncommon compared to average surgical procedures.

Must surgical infections are caused by typical skin bacteria primarily staphylococcus aureus.

When infections do happen after liposuction they can be challenging to treat because of all of the connected passages created by the procedure.

There are different ways of managing this but one option I’ve seen that is successful is to create an opening at the main infection site and apply a vacuum assisted closure a.k.a. VAC device.  this in combination with appropriate anabiotic‘s is often sufficient to reverse the infection towards healing.

It can definitely be frustrating.

You have to ask yourself if you’re willing to take the risk of having surgery a second time.

It may also be very difficult to make great improvements because contour irregularities are now based on having infections with most likely some tissue necrosis and scar tissue information.  improving out comes maybe possible but these type of procedures are much more difficult and challenging than primary Liposuction.

Whether surgeons are willing to do the procedure for you will depend on each individual person‘s perspective. To find that out you’ll need to have individual consultations.

Recognize that revision or secondary liposuction procedures are technically more difficult than primary Liposuction it is in your interest to find someone who has extensive experience and skill in body contouring.

I would suggest waiting a minimum of six months for an appoint that there was no evidence of clinical infection and all wounds were healed before even considering a second procedure and possibly waiting longer.

To find a surgeon willing to do the procedure and get an assessment of what can or cannot be achieved you’ll need to schedule in person consultations.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Randy Dean, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
This unusual infection usually occurs later in the postoperative period (several weeks to several months). The organism creates a biofilm and is difficult to eradicate. Simultaneous multidrug antibiotic therapy is often required to prevent the development of drug resistance.
Once the infection has been eliminated, a period of 6 months should elapse before considering revision to allow for subsidence of swelling and the hypervascularity of wound healing. 
As the photo provided doesn't expose the entire abdomen, I cannot determine the nature of a proposed revisional procedure.
Best wishes...

Infection after Vaser Liposuction - what are my options for a possible revision?

Answers (4)

Answer: Mycobacterium fortuitum infection at surgical site

Answer: Mycobacterium fortuitum infection at surgical site

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Infection after Vaser Liposuction - what are my options for a possible revision?

Answers (4)

Answer: Mycobacterium fortuitum infection at surgical site

Answer: Mycobacterium fortuitum infection at surgical site

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Vaser Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.