I am 4 weeks post Lipo (360) and feel like I’m still 2 weeks post op. A lot of discomfort, slow healing. What can I do? (photos)

Question

My concern is my healing. I understand everyone is different and bodies heal at their own pace. I’m vegetarian and while I thought I was getting enough protein and iron turns out not enough because my iron is really low! I wear my faja 24/7, I have to wear an ab board round the clock too which hurts my skin. I get lymphatic massages. I also have a small line/indent above my belly button doesn’t go away. What can I do?

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

ccastillo.  I appreciate your concern, however the first thing you can do is try to calm down! It appears from the photographs that you are healing quite normally from extensive liposuction 360 and improvement will continue each day. However, it can take as long as six months for all swelling to resolve and skin to re-contour. Gentle massage is all you really need in my opinion and I am not a fan of lymphatic massage as it is painful and never has been proven to be effective. Try to stay patient and positive and follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Roger Tsai, MD · Answer

Great question!  It is important to understand that 1 month is still very early in your healing process.  It can take several months for all the swelling to subside and see your final results.  If your nutrition is poor, then it will take you much longer to heal.  I would recommend taking supplements to improve your protein and iron levels as these are both important for healing.  Other than that you should continue to followup with your plastic surgeon so he/she can advise you on the best ways to heal quickly.Best of luck and hope this information helps!
- Dr. Roger Tsai  @DrRogerTsai
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. What you need to do is discuss this with your plastic surgeon who is presumably board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He or she can examine you and instruct you properly on what to do.Best of luck!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear ccastillo730,I understand your concern and it is quite normal to be concerned about the outcome following a liposuction surgery. However, you are still in the very early stages of the healing process.Your will need to be patient at this moment and follow what your surgeon has instructed you to do post operatively.At the early stage of the healing process, the tissues are still swollen. Once the swelling subsides  you will be able to see the final result of your surgery.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
You are still early on the healing process, it can take up to six months to see your final results, so please be patient. At the stage you are in, inflammation and discomfort are normal.
I suggest my patients to try the lymphatic massages and to use a full body compression garment, 24/7 for the first 3 months, and after that, for 12 hours a day for 3 more months, to get the best results.
It is important for the compression garment to be very tight, for it to help with the swelling, after surgery. Please, follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

M. Jude LaBarbera, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time postop from your lipo.  I recently had a patient who underwent liposuction that reported significant relief with cryotherapy.  I have never recommended this sort of treatment, and the patient did it on their own.  First check with your surgeon, but if ok'd to do so, it might be worth a try.  Best wishes to you.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

all your questions should be brought up during the after care visits with your doctor. Perhaps you traveled for surgery and seeing your doctor would be not possible or expensive. There are many food sources including vegan ones for iron. If you're low on iron you should definitely start supplementing by choosing food rich in iron. I don't know what the indentation above your bellybutton is but it makes me guess there was an attempt of etching the outlines of six pack definition. Did your doctor mention anything about etching  or creating a six pack. It will be very difficult and may not be possible to correct the indentation on your upper abdomen.Your pictures show you very bruised after the procedure more so than most.It's possible you lost a substantial amount of blood during your procedure. This may explain why you're anemic  as well.  Please follow up with your plastic surgeon. Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

I am 4 weeks post Lipo (360) and feel like I’m still 2 weeks post op. A lot of discomfort, slow healing. What can I do? (photos)

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