Lumpy Liposuction Results: Why They Form and What to Do About Them

Due to the constantly advancing world of technologies and the invention of new and groundbreaking surgical techniques, body contouring has become quite popular. 

Out of these procedures, the most popular is liposuction. Given the advancements in cosmetic surgery, modern liposuction techniques now allow for safer and more effective treatments on various areas of the body to change a person's appearance.

Nevertheless, after liposuction surgery, some patients notice that the differences aren't so noticeable, and in some cases, they have irregularities or lumps in the treated areas. 

Lumpy liposuction can result from excess fat removal, the patient not following post-op instructions or an accumulation of blood or scar tissue in the treated region. 

Are Lumps After Liposuction Common? 

Modest lumps or bumps can be a regular part of the post-op process and are fairly common. They tend to be more noticeable in larger treatment areas, such as the abdomen, back, and legs. They are also more common in older patients and those with poor skin elasticity. 

Regular lumps following fat removal typically resolve themselves, and while patients can observe and feel contour irregularities for some time, the result will be smooth after a full recovery. 

In rare cases, however, patients may notice subcutaneous lumps and ripples that persist long after the recovery process, causing the area to appear uneven.

Asymmetry is possible because liposuction is a surgical process that removes fat from the subcutaneous tissue right beneath the skin. In the case of over-extracting, longer-lasting lumps and asymmetries can form.

What To Expect Post-Liposuction

Liposuction has become a much less invasive surgery than other procedures, yet it is still a surgical process that involves a recovery period and downtime.

• The initial recovery from liposuction lasts about a week, during which patients must stay mostly sedentary and refrain from exerting a lot of energy.

• During the first 24 hours after liposuction, you will experience swelling and bruising. These are common effects; therefore, these signs are nothing to worry about.

• After about two days, it is recommended that you get up and move every two hours to promote drainage and blood circulation, which can also prevent rare outcomes like blood clots. After the first week, you should have a follow-up revision with your surgeon.

• Once the second week has passed, you can return to work if it doesn't require exerting a lot of force, and the week after, you can go back to doing light exercise. With newer fat removal techniques like AirSculpt®, however, patients can return to their typical routines within one to two days. 

Lumps After Liposuction: What Causes Them?

Fluid Accumulation

While a liposuction procedure is performed, several internal tunnels are created under the skin by the cannula. These hollow spaces can be filled with natural fluids, causing irregular swelling and forming a bumpy skin surface.

These types of lumps after getting liposuction are not unusual. They are more common in larger treated areas like the back, thighs, and stomach and form due to fluid accumulation under the skin that causes swelling and inflammation.

You may have skin irregularities similar to cellulite for two weeks after the procedures. In some cases, it could last months and is usually present in patients with reduced skin elasticity. Nonetheless, lumps forming due to fluid accumulation should resolve on their own. 

Incorrect Technique: Uneven Fat Removal

Liposuction lumps can also be caused by residual fat that persists after the operation. This is especially common if the surgeon inadvertently forms dents by extracting too much fat or small lumps due to not removing enough fat. 

Hematoma

Bumps can also be caused by blood accumulation under the skin, known as a localized hematoma. You can wait for the blood to be absorbed after a few months or undergo a corrective treatment if it does not subside. 

Scar Tissue 

Rippled skin on the treatment area can occur in rare cases because of an abnormal thickening of scar tissue called fibrosis. Although it can develop for multiple reasons, fibrosis after liposuction can be more long-lasting and require a revision treatment. 

Poor Healing

If the patient does not follow postoperative instructions or has a history of poor healing, it can lead to lumpy results. Wearing a properly fitting compression garment is a significant cause of poor liposuction outcomes. 

Infection

Developing an infection after surgery can cause lumpy results.

How Long Do Lumps After Liposuction Last?  

The time it takes for lumpy liposuction results to go away varies from patient to patient. Usually, the bumps may resolve on their own within a few weeks or months. This is especially true in cases where fluid accumulation causes them to form. 

In other cases, such as due to an incorrect technique or not wearing the garment, they may persist for longer. It is essential to consult with your surgeon if you experience lumpy liposuction results to determine the best course of action.

How to Prevent Lumpy Liposuction Results

1. Choose a Skilled Surgeon: Ensure your surgeon is experienced and skilled in liposuction.

2. Follow Postoperative Instructions: Follow your surgeon's instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and avoid infection. 

3. Wear Compression Garments: Compression garments can help minimize swelling and promote proper healing.

4. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine to prevent weight gain and fat accumulation. 

Treatments For Lumps After Liposuction

As we reviewed, most patients' lumps usually do not last long; therefore, playing the waiting game is good enough.

Yet, natural methods such as lymphatic drainage massages can help the patient recover faster if they persist.

Other patients can opt for laser skin tightening, a non-invasive treatment that uses infrared light to tighten the skin, smoothing the surface.

Surgical removal of the lump may be needed if the irregularity is too significant or in a difficult-to-access place. If the bump formed due to uneven fat removal, a corrective liposuction procedure can remove and even transfer fat strategically to restore symmetry. Revision surgery can also help address fibrosis and other types of irregular tissue forming in the treatment area. 

How Much Does Revision Surgery for Lumpy Liposuction Cost?

The cost of revision surgery for lumpy liposuction results will vary depending on various factors, including the severity of the lumps, the extent of the revision surgery required, and the surgeon's location.

Innovative treatments like AirSculpt® can combine fat removal, fat transfer, and skin tightening in the same procedure; the number of required treatments can also contribute to a higher price.

Where Should I Go To Treat Lumps After Liposuction?

With a quick search on the internet, you will find various ways to treat post-liposuction lumpy skin. The cosmetic market offers a wide array of procedures designed to help your cause, from massages, laser treatments, creams, and corrective surgery.

Nevertheless, the guarantees that they work are only sometimes there. In some cases, they are, but the recovery time and the potential risks are aspects you may want to avoid.

Therefore, opt for a minimally invasive and precise process such as Revision AirSculpt® by Elite Body Sculpture. This patented technique removes fat with a mechanical plucking motion that enhances accuracy and reduces trauma to surrounding tissue. The chances of lumps developing with this approach are drastically minimized, while our surgeons' ability to target and buff out scar tissue is enhanced by the superior finesse AirSculpt® provides. 

You can contour your body into the ideal shape that liposuction did not provide, all without a scalpel, needle, stitches, or general anesthesia. 

Results appear almost immediately, and the downtime is only 48 hours, meaning no extra checkups with your surgeon and having to follow a recovery routine for months.

Contact Elite Body Sculpture Dallas or any of our 25+ body contouring offices worldwide to learn more and begin your first consultation.