Blotchy skin 11 months after liposuction. Will resolve on its own or is there anything I can do to help it? (Photos)

Question

I had liposuction done 11 months ago on my thighs and calves it has left some mottled looking red and brown spots at the bottom of my calf near my ankle can you please tell me if this will resolve on its own or if there is anything I can do to help it? Thank you

Karthik Ram, MRCS, DNB · Answer

Hello natty577, if after 11 months the pigmentation is persisting, you may need some treatment to improve it. You can visit a qualified skin specialist/dermatologist who can carefully examine you and advice creams or minor procedures like chemical peels as appropriate for your condition. Hope this helps you. Thank you for your query here.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear natty577,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went 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

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Liposuction can leave skin discoloration that lasts for a long time and it’s occasionally permanent.
Some people have a skin type that is very sensitive and prone to hyper pigmentation from minor trauma. When the procedure is done in a way that causes a significant amount of bleeding typically showing a lot of bruising afterwards than iron pigments in the hemoglobin can stain the tissue in something called hemosiderin deposits.

In the to form hyperpigmentation from minor trauma melanocytes releasing excessive amounts of melanin can be one of the underlying causes.

Liposuction of the calfs and ankles is technically difficult and the recovery typically takes much longer than other areas. Anatomically the area is prone to swelling for many months after the procedure and bruising from blood done above the area will travel down with gravity making the bruising in the lowest part the worst.

There is no easy answer to your question and I don’t think you’re gonna get an answer based on a post on real South that is actually not useful.

Obviously follow up with the surgeon who did your procedure. The next step would be to consult with one or more dermatologists to get a better understanding of the ideology or actual cause of discoloration.

Understanding the primary cause or having a diagnosis for it can help narrow down which treatments will and will not work.

Topical lightning creams that are aimed at reducing melanin production will not work if the problem is not melanin related.

Sometimes a biopsy is required to get an accurate diagnosis.

Good luck,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Blotchy skin 11 months after liposuction. Will resolve on its own or is there anything I can do to help it? (Photos)

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Blotchy skin 11 months after liposuction. Will resolve on its own or is there anything I can do to help it? (Photos)

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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