2 months post op liposuction, left with discolored indentations from cortisone shots for irregular swelling. Will they go away?

Question

I had cortisone shots for irregular swelling after liposuction. 2 months later and I have huge, discolored indentations on my stomach and thigh. Does anyone have any advice on what to do?

Pejman Aflaki, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for the question. I would suggest you wait another couple of months  to see if there is going to be any improvement. In general, surface irregularities result from aggressive liposuction too close to skin surface. You should stay in touch with your surgeon. If these persist despite lymphatic massages and steroid injections, sometimes they can be improved by revision liposuction (more like using the liposuction cannula to break down the scar tissue) or at times fat grafting to depressed areas. Another option is to inject Sculptra into see indented areas. You should speak with your surgeon. Best,Pejman Aflaki, M.D.Johns Hopkins-trained plastic surgeon

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

pinkclouds.  Sorry you are having these issues. Usually fat atrophy from Cortisone injections is permanent to some degree. You will probably require fat transfer to these regions, but I would wait at least three or four more months to allow all possible atrophy to be completed. At that time, under local anesthesia, a small amount of fat can be transferred to those areas to correct the problem. Best of luck

Mathew A. Plant, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Only time will tell, but fat atrophy from corticosteroid injection is usually permanent. You may need a bit of fat grafting down the road to improve it.

Marc Klein, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your photos and your question.    Unfortunately, the indentations, and the discoloration from cortisone injections in these areas is not likely to improve.    That is one of the unfortunate side effects of using steroids.     You need to discuss what options your physician may be able to provide to improve the appearance.

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

swelling will almost always go away with time. The problem with cortisone shots is that they definitely cause fat atrophy which is permanent!!! I have been a plastic surgeon and done many TT and Smartlipo cases etc and I have NEVER used cortisone shots to decrease swelling. your indents may improve somewhat over the course of a year but then you may want to consider fat transfer or smartlipo to try and smooth the area around it. david berman md

Melih Erogul, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Thank you for your submission. I'm sorry that you have developed a complication of steroid injection. Steroids are potent anti-inflammatory drugs which reduce inflammation and the swelling associated with it. While it is quite effective in reducing inflammatory swelling, it does have potential undesirable side effects including skin depigmentation, skin atrophy, and fat resorption. 
You are only 8 weeks after your procedure. Allow healing to progress. Once complete, one can fat graft the depressions if they persist and consider revision of the scars, depending upon how they mature after 6-12 months.
Continue followup with your plastic surgeon.
Best wishes...

2 months post op liposuction, left with discolored indentations from cortisone shots for irregular swelling. Will they go away?

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