Unfortunate Outcomes: Fibrosis& Discolouration

Words cannot describe how happy I am with my experience with Dr Cotrufo and his patient coordinator Wiesje. I am now at my 4 weeks post-op bbl (360 lipo, arm lipo, and fat transfer to the breasts/butt) and I am obsessed with my results. I can genuinely say that Dr Cotrufo exceeded my expectations for my results and has given me the body of my dreams (even better than my wish pictures).
I considered getting this treatment for a few years, but I wanted to ensure I could achieve natural results, while still significantly improving my body. After reviewing his work and qualifications I knew that he would be the perfect surgeon for me. Dr Cotrufo and his patient coordinator Wiesje have been super responsive to any concern or question I have brought up since day one, and have continued to be supportive post-op. I initially had concerns regarding recovery, as I had known bbl's can be quite intense (especially with all the areas I was getting treated), but with Dr Cotrufo and his team, it was actually quite manageable. I honestly wouldn't say I experienced pain, mostly just discomfort. The first 2/3 days I felt really stiff, and my arms were quite sensitive/sore, but other than that it wasn't bad at all. By the 12th day, I felt relatively normal and had my full energy back. Since then recovery has felt really smooth/fast.I cannot recommend Dr Cotrufo and his team enough, they are absolutely amazing!! This has genuinely been one of the best decisions in my life and I could not have chosen a better surgeon!!

Thought I would wait until a year had passed to write my updated review. While I was initially super happy with my results, I didn’t know that I had already been dealing with fibrosis over all liposuctioned areas and discolouration all over these as well. Although I followed all of Dr C’s post op protocols and did my research beforehand, I ended up with fibrosis and discolouration all over my abdomen and arms (although arms is less visible), that had showed up about 10 days post op, once some of the initial swelling went down. What I am most disappointed about is that Dr C dismissed my concerns and misled me to believe that my fibrosis was just “excess swelling”, and would “be completely healed by summer.” Despite having irregular bumps/dimpling and hard lines (see photos), Dr C straight up told me it wasn’t fibrosis and basically kept telling me everything was fine and to just continue a healthy lifestyle. Since it did not look like the typical fibrosis you see with big hard lumps, (the kind I was more familiar with), I honestly did not know what it was, and just continued massages since Dr C told me it was just “uneven swelling.” This obviously wasn’t the case. My lymphatic drainage specialist also was confused as he said swelling doesn’t look like that, but I obviously still wanted to trust Dr C.

By around my 6 month post op I started to see another medical aesthetic clinic, for my scars (which all keloided and are still visible unfortunately). I showed them my scars, as well as the discolouration and bumpiness on my abdomen, and they had multiple doctors come look at me, take ultrasounds etc, and diagnosed it as fibrosis, and the discolouration as Erythema ab liporaspiration. When I confronted Dr C about this, he was arrogant, dismissive, and barely acknowledged it. He never acknowledged the erythema, and only when confronted admitted it was fibrosis- which he only called “late stage”, when it had actually been there almost immediately after surgery. He did not give me any help, any advice, and continued to be extremely dismissive and evasive. This was really unfortunate given the great experience I initially had with him.
My condition has not really improved at all. I can’t wear bikinis, or show my belly as you can see the irregularities. It’s super disappointing. I am trying to treat it, using radio frequency, ultrasound and cortisol shots for the scars, however, I currently am abroad and don’t have access to the initial medical aesthetic clinic that diagnosed me, (and offers these treatments).

Not sure if the fibrosis and erythema is from aggressive lipo (normally the case when it’s immediate) or just how my body reacted, but it has definitely been a super disappointing experience and I wish I had a doctor who was more helpful with the complications as I had to figure out everything by myself.