Strange looking band in my lower abdomen a year after liposuction. Does this look normal? (Photo)

Question

Hello I had liposuction a year ago. I’m happy enough with the result but I have a strange looking band in my lower abdomen, what could this be? And how could I fix it

Jerimiah Mason, MD · Answer

It's most likely some degree of scar tissue after your liposuction procedure.  You may have developed a seroma, or fluid collection, and they can also result in scar tissue in the long run.  There are ways it can be addressed, Vaser is sometimes a good option.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello HarleyPandora29 in Scotland, United Kingdom. Thank you for your question regarding the strange band in your lower abdomen a year after liposuction.

Thank you for sharing your history and picture. The band you see in your lower abdomen may be due to incomplete liposuction in that area during your previous procedure, or it could be caused by scar tissue or fibrosis around and below your belly button. To address this issue, most plastic surgeons would suggest a revision liposuction using the VASER liposuction system. VASER liposuction is effective because the cannula helps to melt both scar tissue and fat, leading to superior results compared to traditional liposuction.

After applying VASER to the affected area, micro-cannula liposuction can be used to refine the results. Additionally, using J Plasma or Renuvion can help achieve maximum skin contraction. Postoperatively, it is crucial to wear a compression garment and undergo lymphatic massage for about 2 to 3 months to optimize your results.

The band you see might also be due to uneven pressure from your previous compression garment. Revision with VASER liposuction can correct this issue and help you achieve a smoother contour.

Good luck, and I hope I’ve answered your question regarding how to address the strange band in your lower abdomen after liposuction.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

To make an accurate assessment regarding the outcome of any plastic surgery procedure, we generally need to see a complete set of proper before and after pictures.
Without knowing what you look like before the procedure, it’s difficult to give you a good assessment on the outcome.
If you don’t have before, and after pictures, then contact the surgeon who did your procedure and ask them to forward the pictures they took.
Your before and after pictures are part of your medical record that you have a right to get copies of.
From the single picture you included it looks like you had fairly aggressive Liposuction that was done unevenly.
I’m guessing your provider used an energy based device in particular most likely VASER type liposuction, which is also sometimes referred to as ultrasound assisted Liposuction. Whatever equipment was used it looks like your procedure was done in a fairly aggressive manner.
I think what you’re referring to as the band is simply uneven fat from the procedure.
This is a direct reflection of how the surgery was done.
Correcting poorly done Liposuction is inherently very difficult and it becomes more difficult if the first procedure removed almost all the fat.
Your skin that looks bumpy and uneven, and this is due to how the procedure was performed. 
It would be helpful to see before and after pictures to make a better quality assessment, but that’s what it looks like to me.
Improving on your outcome is going to be difficult.
Some improvements may be possible. considering that revision liposuction work is many times more difficult than primary Liposuctionan improvement improving your outcome will require finding someone who has sufficient skill and experience.
Even in the hands of the right provider, only partial improvements are possible.
As mentioned previously, it’s difficult to improve the outcome when almost all the fat has been removed.
Whether revision surgery is worth it or not is a decision that needs to be made during an in person consultation after an examination.
Recognize that any attempt at revision work can easily make things worse unless you have a provider who has mastered this kind of work. 
The best providers for revision work are usually the same providers to do the very best primary Liposuction.
To find the best provider, I generally recommend patients have multiple in person consultations with providers in their own community who seem to have extensive Liposuction experience.
During each in person 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 similar body characteristics to your own.
 An experienced provider should have no difficulty showing you the before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients.
This is true for primary procedures, but for revision work providers will not have nearly as many examples to show you because revision work is not nearly as common as primary Liposuction.
You should still ask providers to show you examples of revision work that they’ve done.
Bring pictures of your own Abdomen to use as reference.
Take care notes during each consultation, especially regarding the quality and quantity of before and after pictures.
Continue having consultations until you feel like you found the best provider for your needs.
There’s no correct number of consultations needed to find the best provider.
 The more consultations you schedule the more likely to find the right provider for your needs The biggest mistake I see patients make is having only one consultation and then scheduling surgery.
Having only one consultation, more or less eliminates the ability to choose a better provider.
The second biggest mistake I see patients is assuming that someone who is certified in plastic surgery with year of experience and an overall good reputation has mastered most plastic surgical procedures, including liposuction.
 in reality mastering Liposuction is something most plastic surgeons never accomplish.
Delivering consistent quality Liposuction results is in fact much more difficult than most people realize both patients and providers.
Finding an exceptional provider for this kind of work is usually difficult and requires having quite a few consultations.
Whether a revision is appropriate or desirable in your case is something that needs to be discussed as an in person consultation.
There is no yes or no answer to your question or concern.
It depends on if the degree of improvement justifies having the procedure.
Because only modest improvements are possible, and in the hands of an insufficiently experienced provider, things can become worse. It’s not an easy straightforward decision at all.
I wish I could be a bit more optimistic.
I think there’s a room for improvement and I think it could be worth considering revision but only if you feel very confident that you’re in the hands of someone who has mastered this kind of work.
What works for one person that may not work for someone else.
If you’re highly motivated to improve your outcome, then start scheduling consultations and see what each provider has to say.
Look for providers who have a strong emphasis or focused their practice exclusively on Liposuction.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Strange looking band in my lower abdomen a year after liposuction. Does this look normal? (Photo)

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Strange looking band in my lower abdomen a year after liposuction. Does this look normal? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Vaser Liposuction

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