What procedure do I need to smooth out Lipo marks/ holes / bumps? Fix scars? (photo)

Question

I've had a tummy tuck, two BBL's and Lipo 360. With the second lipo procedure (16 months after the first) I retained a lot of fluid in and it left hard bumps in my legs and divots in my upper, inner thigh. My belly button is crooked and my scar healed poorly (pulled apart during healing, leaving a wide scar and also dog eared on my hips). I did lymphatic drainage massages but I look worse than before I started. PLEASE HELP!

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

The photos show several different concerns rather than one single problem: a widened lower abdominal scar, some umbilical distortion, and contour irregularities or divots along the inner thighs. After tummy tuck, BBL, and repeat 360 liposuction, these findings can come from scar widening, tethered scar tissue, uneven fat removal, residual fibrosis, skin laxity, or areas where volume is missing, so the right treatment depends on what is firm scar versus loose skin versus a true hollow.

A revision plan usually starts with an in-person exam and sometimes ultrasound if there are firm areas. Options may include scar revision for the tummy tuck scar and dog ears, umbilical revision if the belly button can be safely improved, and for thigh dents either scar release/subcision, careful fat grafting, or very limited smoothing liposuction depending on the tissue. More lymphatic massage is unlikely to correct mature divots or wide scars at this stage, and overly aggressive treatment can make thin or irregular areas worse, so evaluation by a surgeon experienced with revision body contouring is important.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear nataliejo30,

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

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

You may benefit from a scar revision of the tummy tuck. This will tighten the skin envelope, help smooth out some of the contour deformities you do not like and re-center the umbilicus. In terms of your thighs, you have hanging skin which appears to be quite thin. You may benefit from a medial thigh lift. At the time of the tummy revision, liposuction can be used to break up any adhesions and perhaps smooth out deformities.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

To correct deformities after multiple liposuctions is very difficult. It requires time, very carefully planned corrective liposuction (without suction) and fat grafting. Major problem is time; you should not attempt anything of this sooner than 2 years or longer. Massage, ultrasound, diluted corticosteroid injections, should be something to consider in the meantime. Hope this helps.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Based on your post of photos, I still recommend an in person virtual consultation. I would recommend surgical excision and layered repair of bilateral tummy, tuck dog ears. As for the irregularities denting multiple sessions of a combination of Radeisse/Sculptra injections. Most likely three to successions every 3 to 4 weeks in different amounts expect fee procession to range from $2500-$3500. Again, best of virtual consult with.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

As a general statement, revision surgery is more complex and difficult than primary procedures.
Certain revisions are easier and more straightforward than others.
Treating Liposuction contour irregularities is difficult and may involve more liposuction, fat transfer or a combination of both.
Repositioning your belly button is most likely not going to lead to a good outcome because it’ll leave a bad scar next to your belly button.
A tummy talking is more or less a do it once do it right type of a procedure. Once the procedure is done, it’s difficult to change the outcome in any significant way.
Provider selection is by far the most important variable, but that is a little bit beside the point now.
Considering that revision work is more difficult and complex than primary procedures the importance of providers selection for our revision becomes even more important.
Attempts at revision by providers, lacking, sufficient skill, and experience can easily make things worse.
Delivering consistent quality of Liposuction results is more difficult than most people realize.
The number of plastic surgeons who approach mastery of Liposuction is small. 
Find the right provider is not easy or straightforward.
I suppose at this point you may be aware of that.
My best recommendation for finding the right provider is to schedule multiple in person consultations.
For second opinion consultations come prepared to bring with you a complete set of proper before and after pictures and operator reports for each of your previous procedures.
 These are part of your medical record that you can request from your previous providers at any time.
Rely exclusively on in person consultations and avoid virtual consultations whenever possible.
Make a list of providers in your local community who seem to have a lot of experience in Liposuction and fat transfer.
Ideally look for providers who specialize exclusively in these procedures.
Next schedule in person consultations with each of those providers.
During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before and after pictures of previous patients who had the same procedure or treatment they recommend for you.
 Take careful notes in regards to the quality and quantity of before and after pictures shown.
If the provider doesn’t have a good collection before, and after pictures, then they may not be the right provider for you.
Recognize that plastic surgeons do far less revisions than primary procedures so they’ll have less before and after pictures of revision work then Primary surgery.
 There’s no correct number of consultations needed to find the right provider.
The more consultations you have the more likely you are to find the better provider.
Sometimes it’s simply a matter of luck.
I generally recommend people that have 3 to 5 different in person consultations before selecting a provider.
For complex problems like needing revision work after multiple rounds of Liposuction, you may need more consultations to find the right provider.
Likewise, to improve your outcome, you may need multiple revision operations.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

What procedure do I need to smooth out Lipo marks/ holes / bumps? Fix scars? (photo)

Answers (6)

More Liposuction Questions

Is it possible to lose lipo results? (Photos)

Lipo after weight loss - Would I be suitable for lipo without a tuck? (photo)

Botched lower abdominal lipo (fibrosis). Is this fixable? (photo)

Can liposuction cause fat to move around in my body?

What to do after lipo irregularities? Inner thighs. (PHOTOS)

How to remove the double crease under the butt after a lipo? (Photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS