Burns or Lipo Bruises? How do I treat these? (Photo)

Question

I recently had lipo and BBL. I can't get in contact with my doctor. I was initially told that I had lipo bruises but these look like burns. What should I be doing to treat these?

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. The fact that you "can't get in contact" with your doctor tells me one thing......you chose the wrong doctor. The appearance in the photos is very concerning and also tells me that in choosing your doctor, you probably did not choose a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. I suggest you find a local plastic surgeon who is board certified to evaluate these areas of concern and discuss how to properly treat them. Unfortunately, the damage may already be done and the best you might be able to do is care for them and hope they heal the best they can. Best of luck!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

mrsnewboody2014. I appreciate your concern, however it is difficult to evaluate your particular situation without physical examination. I recommend immediate follow up with your plastic surgeon and if he or she is out of town, insist on seeing another plastic surgeon who is providing coverage. Good luck.

William Albright, MD · Answer

Hello,
The photos shown are highly suspicious for skin injury.  It is unconscionable for your plastic surgeon to be unavailable or not have a mechanism in place to get you care from another plastic surgeon on short notice.  I recommend you seek medical attention sooner rather than later, and good luck.
ABPS board certified plastic surgeon

Jeffrey K. Scott, MD · Answer

More information about your procedure would be helpful. However your photos show reason for concern. You appear to have skin burns from some form energy based liposuction, obviously performed incorrectly. If your doctor fails to respond to your communication attempts, I suggest you be seen by a board certified plastic surgeon in your town sooner rather than later. I would also consider you report to your state board of medicine about being “abandoned” by you doctor with your inability to make contact. If this procedure was performed outside of the country, let this be a lesson for others.

Mark Eberbach, MD · Answer

You must be really worried. The injuries are significant. The cause can be burns if done by laser or vaser suction or other energy based suction. It could be lack of blood supply. If you are a smoker, stop immediately. If diabetic be sure your sugars are controlled. Finally see your surgeon immediately. Hyperbaric oxygen may reduce the damage and scar. If you cannot contact your doctor, go to an emergency room. I hope you recover quickly

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Since so many are seen in different areas, my over the RS internet guess are lipo burns. You have two options: Find local PS to render care, but expect to pre pay for care.Or fly back to DR for care. Usually local burn wound care will correct, but the risks of scarring is very high.

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It look like burns. I recommend you to see your PS for immediate evaluation

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

you have skin necrosis. I don't know if this is from heat or simply from the trauma to your tissues from your procedure. Based on your previous posts it appears you went overseas to have your surgery.
 I cannot state the importance of staying local for elective surgical procedures.patients do not appreciate the importance of follow-up care, that complications happen and how many patients need revision surgery.
All of these become very difficult when traveling thousands of miles for your procedure. 
 I have never given a blood transfusion for a cosmetic surgery in the last 20 years of being in practice. Any surgery that is extensive and to the point of needing blood transfusions should be separated into multiple procedures.
 I don't  mean to lecture you but other people read these posts and they deserve to see The reality of medical tourism and traveling to other countries for surgical procedures.
 Can you not get a hold of your physician or are you simply too far away to come in for a visit?
 If your doctor is not returning your communication then you were being abandoned.
 You need medical care and I suggest contacting a local board-certified plastic surgeon, be ready to pay their fees to get the appropriate aftercare you need.
 You may need surgical debreidmebt and wound care that may last a few weeks to a few months depending on how much tissue necrosis you developed.
 This is not something you should wait on. Do contact your doctor and let her know what's happening with you so at least she has the knowledge that what she is doing is not working well.
 Surgeons are expected to take care of their own complications.  We do take care of other doctors complications from time to time either as a favor or because of vacations or other circumstances. To take care of someone else's complication because they chose to get discounted surgery in another country is not particularly popular.
 Still, most doctors are here to help their patients and will take care of you.   This is not something you can take care of yourself. You need medical intervention and you need to get it sooner rather than later.  Just like patients who are ecstatic about the results share with the world what's happened to them I suggest you do the same because patients on real self deserve to know the truth of medical tourism. For now please contact a local board-certified plastic surgeon to help you with the after care that you need. Alternatively you could fly back to the Dominican republic and have your surgeon take care of your needs. Best, Mats Hagstrom M.D.

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

Burns from Smartlipo are extremely rare from a board certified plastic surgeon. I will bet that you got treated by a "cosmetic surgeon" which is a totally BS title and means nothing. People who select their surgeon only by the lowest price, should really question their priorities. I give all of my patients that i operate upon my cell phone number. It is not acceptable that he or someone covering for him, is not reachable. as suggested below, you should stop any nicotine and if diabetic, you should make sure that your blood sugars are well controlled. there is no infection, so there is no role for antibiotics. you should see a board certified plastic surgeon, to manage this burn.  i hope this serves as a warning to others, why they should be selecting a board certified plastic surgeon and not some imitator!!!!!david berman md

Burns or Lipo Bruises? How do I treat these? (Photo)

Answers (9)

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