Lump After Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?

Thank you for your question about addressing a lump that has appeared after undergoing a tummy tuck and liposuction. It's important to properly identify the nature of the lump, as the treatment will vary depending on its cause.
A lump following these procedures could be a seroma, which is an accumulation of serous fluid, the body's natural fluid that aids in healing. If it is indeed a seroma, it typically needs to be drained. This process involves inserting a needle to aspirate the fluid. Similarly, the lump might be a hematoma, which is a collection of blood. Depending on its size and impact, a hematoma may also require drainage.
Another possibility is that the lump is scar tissue, sometimes referred to as a granuloma or fibrosis. In this case, it's essential to ascertain whether the lump is fluid-filled or solid. If fluid is present, repeated aspirations every 48 hours may be necessary until the fluid completely resolves. If the lump is solid, indicating scar tissue, steroid injections might be beneficial. Additionally, deep soft tissue massage can be effective in breaking up scar tissue.
It's crucial to consult with your plastic surgeon to accurately diagnose the nature of the lump and determine the best course of treatment. Your surgeon's guidance will be pivotal in resolving this issue effectively and safely.
I hope this information helps you understand the potential causes of the lump and the associated treatment options. Wishing you the best in your postoperative journey.
Good luck.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

This is probably a very small area of fat necrosis or hematoma that requires no treatment other than liposuction. To be sure, point this out to your surgeon for confirmation.

Temporary lumps and bumps after lipo are normal. This can be due to localized swelling. The lumps often change in place and character from week to week. After about six months they will be gone. It helps to massage the areas to help dissipate the swelling.

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. In our practice, we include liposuction with every tummy tuck. We strongly feel that liposuction is important technique that allows us to contour your body and reach areas of the abdomen that we otherwise would not be able to get to with a tummy tuck alone. Patients who undergo this procedure must understand that there is a significant recovery process. Patients will experience swelling and bruising that can persist for up to 6 to 8 months. In our practice, we provide our patients with the two separate compression garments that specifically apply pressure evenly to the areas that have been treated and also provide support for the patient's comfort.

It is possible that the area you are feeling can be a small area of swelling, a small amount of bulging in the muscles, or your body's reaction to sutures or other materials that were used during surgery. Your best bet at this point is to be evaluated by a board-certified plastic surgeon who can examine you and determine what the cause of this mass may be. They will then be able to recommend a surgical procedure that can help eliminate this lump.

To learn more about tummy tucks, see photos, and help you decide which one is best for you, please visit us at the link below:

Feeling firm areas two weeks after surgery is fairly common. This may be scar tissue oredema or even fat necrosis.  Probably massage is the best answer, but you should check with your surgeon.

Massage, compression would be very helpfull in the early post operative phase. Most of these lumps will go away with time. If it gets bigger you will need to contact your surgeon.

Dear Lisa,
I'm assuming the lump is somewhere in the region where liposuction was performed, or on the path from one of the access incisions toward that region. It sounds like you have a small subcutaneous hematoma (round blood clot under the skin). These can happen, and are more of a nuisance than a problem. Your body will resorb it with time, and it will disappear (on the order of several months). Show it to your surgeon at your next postoperative visit, but otherwise don't stress about it.

Hi!   You probably have a little fluid collection or some internal scar tissue.  I find that this responds quite well to lymphatic drainage massage twice a week as long as it is started early (right now).