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Firm lumps, ridges or uneven, tethered skin after lipo: how fibrosis is assessed, how it can be treated and when further surgery is the better option.
Yes, in many cases. Fibrosis after liposuction – firm lumps, ridges or tethered, uneven skin – can often be improved without further surgery. At Dr Ducu Clinics every case starts with an ultrasound scan that shows how deep and how widespread the fibrotic tissue is, and treatment is planned from that map, most often with SkinTight™ delivered through a fine cannula in the affected tissue plane.
Severe contour deformities or large depressions may need surgical revision; your doctor will tell you if that is the better route.
Results vary between patients; complete resolution cannot be guaranteed.
After liposuction the body heals by laying down new connective tissue. In some people this tissue becomes dense and hard, pulling on the skin and creating lumps, ridges or dimpling.
Some firmness in the first weeks is a normal part of healing. Fibrosis is suspected when hardness or irregularities persist after the early swelling has settled. A scan also distinguishes fibrosis from other causes of lumps, such as fluid collections (seroma) or residual filler.
Persistent firm areas, ridges or irregularities after liposuction, once early post-operative swelling has settled. Suitability is confirmed after examination and ultrasound.
Large depressions, severe contour deformity or a significant amount of loose skin may be better treated with surgical revision.
You may read that radiofrequency makes post-lipo fibrosis worse. Heat applied blindly, or too early while tissue is still inflamed, can irritate healing tissue. That is why we scan before treating, wait until early swelling has settled, deliver energy only at the depth where fibrotic bands are seen, and compare the same scan at follow-up to check how the tissue is remodelling.
Under local anaesthetic, controlled radiofrequency energy is delivered through a fine cannula within the fibrotic tissue planes mapped on ultrasound, to soften fibrotic bands and support tissue remodelling. Where clinically appropriate, PLLA or hyaluronic acid may be added. Repeat treatment may be needed. Results vary between patients.
In the early weeks after liposuction, lymphatic drainage, massage and compression are commonly recommended to help the tissues heal evenly. Your doctor will tell you whether they are enough on their own or whether treatment is needed.
Fibrosis treatment is a medical procedure, so recovery, risks and expected results are explained before any treatment.
Common questions about fibrosis after liposuction. Can’t find your answer? Our team will help.
Usually once the early post-operative swelling has settled. Your doctor decides the timing after examining you and scanning the area with ultrasound.
Heat applied without imaging, or too early, can irritate healing tissue. We scan first, treat only the mapped fibrotic areas at the right depth and review progress with a follow-up scan. Whether treatment is suitable is decided for each patient.
It is performed under local anaesthetic, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Some tenderness afterwards is common and settles over the following days.
The number of sessions depends on how extensive the fibrosis is and how the tissue responds. Your doctor will explain this after the scan.
Treated areas can improve over time, but complete resolution or prevention of recurrence cannot be guaranteed. Follow-up scans help monitor the tissue.
At consultation we examine the area, scan it with ultrasound and explain options, limitations and risks before any treatment.
Treatment of selected abdominal fibrosis and irregularities after liposuction.
More details ›Treatment planned to support abdominal contour and firmer-looking skin, where clinically appropriate.
More details ›Options for mild to moderate loose skin on the abdomen, arms and thighs.
More details ›
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