Is this fibrosis? Is liposuction along with J-Plasma a reasonable route to fix this? (photos)

Irregularities like yours have been the most common problem associated with liposuction since it's inception in the late 1970's. The cause of these irregularities is usually associated with over/under resection of fat, insufficient compression after surgery leading to pooling of blood in the tissues, or loss of fat over time due to excess heat exposure associated with the use of ancillary devices that emit energy: sound, light, radiofrequency, or plasma. It's been over a decade since the introduction of SAFElipo, a technique based system of combating liposuction irregularities, and widely adopted by surgeons around the world. Nonetheless, many surgeons persist in using energy based devices for both primary and revision liposuction, which in my mind only adds new variables (e.g. heat leading to excessive scarring or fibrosis)and uncertainty. Your issues can be improved significantly without the use of those systems, using the mechanically based SAFElipo.

often this needs a tummy tuck and fat grafting with micro-VASER lipo to improve. its unfortunate but that scar tissue is quite difficult to improve without it,. if you try just liposuction alone you HAVE to do j plasma with it but often you will still have irregularities and it likely will not get rid of all the scar tissue. Aftercare is also essential. Best, Dr. Emer.

Dear Chloenom,I would have to examine you but it appears that this is a contour irregularity after liposuction. This happens often when areas the undergo liposuction are not feathered appropriately.The good news is that it can be fixed and I have done so with good results before. While there is always a chance for contour irregularities with liposuction, someone who takes their time and uses the appropriate sized cannulas should give you a superb result.I have all my patients wear compression garments and I use multiple sized cannulas to feather out the result.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

I answered your question previously thought that time he did not inquire about J plasma.

I purchased the Renuvion or “J-plasma” device when it first came out. I used it for about a year then sold it because I saw zero improvements and my patients were having more discomfort during and after the procedure from being cooked on the inside.

Energy devices such as J plasma or VASER are more likely to make things worse than they are to correct the previously unevenly performed Liposuction.

Again, there’s nothing inherently wrong with VASER if used correctly but all too many times I see this single device causing more disfigurement than any other type of Liposuction. It’s simply in the case where someone has been over treated you don’t need a powerful energy-based device.

Adding destructive or energy devices will create more scar tissue.

Revision Liposuction is probably your best option though it will not restore you to a normal Abdomen.

Some improvements can be had.

The second option is adding fat transfer though this to isn’t great in these type of situations.

These are difficult cases and often some slight improvement is the best that can be offered.

I’m sorry did you find yourself in the situation.

You should be fairly reluctant to have a second procedure about without trying you’ll never know what can be accomplished.

It is important for patients to follow up with the original provider so that they can learn from their mistakes and make some adjustments and not continue this figuring others.

Hope you find a solution that is better than what I describe.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom, MD