Face liposuction still causing pain years later. Could retaining ligaments have been damaged by canulas?

Question

I approached a Dr re buccal fat removal but he talked me into cheek lipo. From a corner mouth incision cannulas liposuctioned my cheek, corners of my actual lip and white roll as well as my jawline aggresively which was uncomfortable and left lots of bruising. The results have been absolutely horrible in so many ways and my lips are in constant pain years later. I think he's damaged the retaining ligaments in my face but he says canulas cant damage face retaining ligaments. Is this true?

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I’m curious what makes you think you’re retaining ligaments or damaged? ligaments are pretty solid and they will not be injured by a liposuction cannula.
Even if they were injury to a retainment ligament wouldn’t cause prolonged pain. Chronic pain after the procedure you describe is more likely related to nerve issues than damage to other tissues.
Plastic surgeons are generally not well trained or able to manage chronic pain well so while this may have started from a plastic surgery procedure you probably need to find a different doctor like a neurologist or ideally and neurologist who does pain management.
If you have concerns about the aesthetic outcome and want to consider a revision then that is something you could discuss with another plastic surgeon.
I don’t think you’re going to get plastic surgeons to give you useful information regarding ongoing pain after surgery but it never hurts to ask.
Consider consulting with a pain specialist and or neurologist.
You may also want to consider consulting with an ENT doctor. The parotid gland occupies a substantial part of the cheek in the area you may have had treatment and the facial nerve goes through that area.
If no anomalies can be found then conceivably an MRI of the areas treated including the parotid gland may be helpful but most likely will just show changes related to surgery.
I’m curious if your provider reviewed any before and after pictures with you of previous patients who have had similar procedures?
I wish I could give you a more optimistic or better solution to your problem.
I suggest you contact your plastic surgeon and ask them to forward a complete set of copies of your medical records especially your operative report and all before and after pictures.
Those may be useful to any future provider you consult with.
You have a right to your medical records by simply asking the office to forward them after you sign a release form.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Face liposuction still causing pain years later. Could retaining ligaments have been damaged by canulas?

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Face liposuction still causing pain years later. Could retaining ligaments have been damaged by canulas?

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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