Cellulitis After Thigh Lift/Lipo: Follow Up

Question

I don't believe I worded my last question correctly. I did develop cellulitis and was put on stronger antibiotics two weeks ago which helped tremendously. Now, 3 weeks after surgery I still have a lot of tenderness on my inner thighs as well as a lot of tightness.

	Swelling has gone down, but not completely gone. Saw doctor, he said to try to walk as much as possible and then come back and see him in a month. All he can figure out at this point is perhaps slow recovery time. Thank you

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thigh lifts can take some time to heal.  Cellulitis can occur, and lead to delayed healing.  However once the cellulitis is under control the wounds will heal.  Often they heal well enough that no other treatment or scar revision is necessary.  At this stage it sounds like you need to patient and allow for things to heal.

	Sincerely,

	Martin Jugenburg, MD

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding cellulitis after thigh lift/lipo. I believe a lot of the tenderness and tightness you are experiencing are still due to residual swelling. Ways to minimize swelling are compression and lymphatic massage. I would suggest these two modalities. In my opinion, walking causes more swelling than healing. Therefore, in my opinion, I would do more compression, lymphatic massage, and elevation. Also, I would try to decrease your amount of walking. Thank you for your question regarding cellulitis after a thigh lift.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

It's not unusual for patients to develop swelling following thigh lift surgery. When surgery is complicated by infection, swelling may increase significantly and may last for prolonged periods of time.Although your infection appears to be adequately treated, your swelling may continue for several weeks. In the interim, it's important to maintain contact with your plastic surgeon to monitor for the recurrence of infection. It's also important to remember that swelling occurs normally following this type of procedure. Under these circumstances, compression, massage and physical activity may facilitate recovery.

Steven Schuster, MD, FACS · Answer

It is bot unusuall to have swelling after a thigh lift. If complicated by a cellulits it can easily take several months to resolve. Be patient and follow up with your plastic surgeon as needed. If the swelling and redness get worse then by all means call your doctor.

Lisa Lynn Sowder, MD (retired) - Account Suspended · Answer

Thigh lifts can cause prolonged swelling even without post operative cellulitis.   Sometimes I will patients a diuretic to help the swelling if they really have a lot of discomfort.  Also, I hope your doctor has a high awareness on post operative blood clotting.  That can occur after thigh lift and can be tricky to diagnose clinically.  Make sure you see your doctor on a regular basis until you are all healed up.

	Lisa Lynn Sowder, M.D.

Cellulitis After Thigh Lift/Lipo: Follow Up

Answers (5)