What is the purpose of waiting 3-6 months for lipo revision? What are the risks of revision lipo at 3 months?

Question

Is the waiting period to give the final result of the initial lipo time to fully show? If a doctor does a revision lipo at 3 months post-op does it make the risks of indentations more likely, because scar tissue is still hard at this stage? What are the risks of doing revision lipo at 3 months?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I do revisions much sooner than most dont find that waiting makes much a difference although people SAY wait 6 months I wait 2-3 for the swelling to go down and if there truly Is an issue then we do the procedure as needed. 60% unfortunately of my practice Is now revision given that so many people are inexperienced in liposuciton and using energy based devices that cause my scar tissue and retraction/skin burns.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Misbah Khan MD, FAAD, FACMS · Answer

I usually wait for at least 6 months before doing a Revision surgery. and if the last procedure involved a power-assisted device such as SmartLipo, or VASER or BodyTite then I would wait a bit longer. I specialize in fixing defects and Revision Surgeries. I have some informative videos on my YouTube channel that you can access from my website. i will post the link below.

Michelle Zweifler, MD · Answer

Liposuction revisions usually are performed 6-12months after the initial procedure.  This allows maximum wound healing and resolution of postoperative edema and inflammation.  The softer fat makes the liposuction procedure better and less likely indentations due to firm scar tissue.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Zaza77,
every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. Some are willing to do revision even after 3 months, while other will wait 6 months after surgery. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Hello!Waiting for revisions is often important. Conservative measures such as massage and compression and time to allow all swelling to settle are important to determining the actual final contour. Further, after lipo, the tissues will become firm as lipo creates scar tissue. It is important to allow the scar tissue to mature and soften. If it does not, it will be difficult to modify and may lead to fluid collection in the area. If there is a diffuse area requiring revision, I would recommend waiting 9 months to a year. However, if there is just a small focal area requiring revision, this might be ready sooner. I would recommend you have a more in depth discussion with your plastic surgeon so you better understand his/her reasoning.Best of luck to you!

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Results are not instantaneous and neither are the potential intents. Scar tissue takes up to a year to settle down. Scar tissue that begins as firm can settle down throughout this process so it would be unwise to operate until the final result has been permitted to develop.

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

You are strongly encouraged to wait at least 6 months to a year after your procedure before getting more work done on the same area. There can still be swelling and other factors that need to subside for you to see the full results of your procedure. 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

The first and the best reason to wait six months before doing liposuction revision is to allow scar tissue to mature before trying to operate in the same area.Early scar tissue is hard and unforgiving to work through and makes the procedure technically more difficult.You can probably see for yourself how your skin incisions have changed over time. These same changes are happening inside where you had liposuction.I never do liposuction revision before six months.Giving a time also allows patients to become more excepting of results including results that do not come close to meeting their initial expectations.Secondary Liposuction is far more difficult and primary procedures.Time seems to cool off emotions a bit and this can be helpful for everybody.Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

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