Are you experiencing fibrosis after liposuction? Do you have post liposuction lumps, bumps, hardness and scarring? Are these issues affecting your confidence and making you feel unsatisfied with your liposuction or BBL result?
Unfortunately, fibrosis post liposuction is one of the more common complications of this procedure. Liposuction fibrosis post BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) is even more common due to the aggressive liposuction performed during BBLs. Fibrosis affects your end results and can be a tell-tale sign that you’ve had liposuction.
Are you looking for post liposuction fibrosis massages in Vancouver BC? I have been providing lymphatic drainage post cosmetic surgery and after liposuction fibrosis massages in Vancouver for many years and developed some effective techniques to help resolve this issue.
In this post I talk about after liposuction fibrosis, lumps and bumps and what you can do to prevent and treat these issues.
What is post liposuction fibrosis?
Liposuction is an invasive procedure causing inflammation and scarring under the skin, as well as damage to blood, lymphatic vessels and connective tissue. During liposuction, the surgeon moves the cannula under the skin to suction out the fat causing tissue separation and creating spaces where blood and lymph can pool post surgery. Inadequate post-op care can result in long-standing swelling and pockets of fluid called seromas.
Chronic swelling in these areas leads to chronic inflammation that produces excess deposition of connective and adipose tissue eventually leading to fibrosis. To achieve a good result swelling must be well-managed, which is why correct post-op care is very important.
So, in simpler terms:
- Liposuction swelling causes inflammation
- In time this inflammation causes hardening and scarring
- This hardening is called after liposuction fibrosis
Managing swelling is key to post liposuction fibrosis prevention!
How do we recognize liposuction fibrosis?
Lumps and bumps are normal after liposuction as fluid and cellular debris fills the spaces created by the cannula insertion. Around two weeks post liposuction the tissue starts feeling harder as most of the fluid gets reabsorbed and thicker components are left behind for the body to process. The area might feel lumpy and bumpy with a gummy or putty consistency. This is normal and it is managed with adequate compression and post liposuction massage. Again, this is normal and not yet liposuction fibrosis! Fibrosis starts developing after the first month or two and has a distinct appearance.
Fibrosis after liposuction can develop in any area, with some common sites being the flanks and upper abdomen.
How does fibrosis after liposuction feel? If the tissues feel woody, firm, puckered/wrinkly, leathery and “stuck” that is a sign that you have developed post liposuction fibrosis. In some patients after liposuction fibrosis can resolve after 1-2 years while for others this can become a permanent issue, affecting their appearance and causing discomfort and reduced range of motion.
After liposuction fibrosis or uneven liposuction?
If it has been many months past your liposuction procedure and you are experiencing lumps, bumps or unevenness without the other signs described above you might have had uneven lipo causing contour irregularities.
This happens when the liposuction is too aggressive in some areas and the fat is removed in an uneven fashion. The solution for uneven lipo is usually revision liposuction performed by a qualified revision specialist, sometimes including fat grafting to fill in the depressed areas. Although massage helps treat fibrosis, it is not effective for lumps and bumps caused by uneven liposuction.
How can after liposuction fibrosis be prevented?
As I mentioned above, managing swelling is key to preventing post liposuction fibrosis. How can this be accomplished?
Good post-op care is essential in managing swelling. Here is what should be part of your post-op care:
- A well-fitting compression garment (faja), complete with foams and boards as advised by your doctor
- Lymphatic drainage and post plastic surgery massages
- At home self-care including self massage, dry brushing, etc.
- Adhering to your surgeon’s advice regarding activity restrictions
I have provided lymphatic drainage and post liposuction and BBL massage in Vancouver for many years, so I have seen the impact that these massage have in reducing pain, swelling and bruising post cosmetic surgery, but don’t take my word for it!
Here are some examples on what the research says regarding lymphatic drainage and post liposuction massages.
In the research article “Unfavourable Outcomes of Liposuction and Their Management” Dixit and Wagh state that “in our experience gentle liposuctioning, an optimum compressive garment and early lymphatic drainage massage helps to accelerate the clearance of oedema” and “Endermologie, external ultrasound or lymphatic drainage massage may assist in uniform removal of swelling and ensure smooth contours.”
In “Investigating the Short-Term Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Compression Garment Therapies Using Near-Infrared Imaging” Wosley, Bader and Fenlon state that “imaging studies confirm that manual lymphatic drainage significantly increases the flow of fluid in lymphatic vessels in normal individuals”.
These are only a few examples of research supporting post-op massages, but most importantly we are seeing a big difference in our clinic in patients getting regular post cosmetic surgery lymphatic massages. Some benefits I have seen in my practice include reduced bruising, decreased swelling, scar tissue softening, improved contours and increased ROM. The most common post cosmetic surgery massages I perform in my clinic in Vancouver are:
- post liposuction massages
- post BBL massages
- after liposuction fibrosis massages
- post tummy tuck massages
- post facelift massages
How do I address fibrosis after liposuction in my Vancouver clinic?
As I mentioned I have been providing lymphatic drainage massages post cosmetic surgery in Vancouver for many years. Recently I have performed many BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) lymphatic and post-op recovery massages since this procedure is becoming very popular. BBLs involve very aggressive liposuction so post-op massages become even more important as the likelihood of complications like after lipo fibrosis increases. The post-BBL clients I see have had surgery abroad since BBLs are not yet performed in Vancouver, so they experience a lag in post-op care once they arrive back. This has caused me seeing an increases in after liposuction fibrosis cases and I have dedicated the past year in researching and learning post liposuction fibrosis massage techniques.
Some of these techniques include scar tissue work such as myofascial release , IASTM (instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization), maderoterapia (wood therapy), heat and vibration along with other massage techniques to mobilize, smooth and soften after liposuction fibrosis, lumps, bumps and scarring. I also advise clients on ways of reducing their fibrosis at home in between their fibrosis massage appointments.
Can liposuction fibrosis be improved with massage?
When it comes to after liposuction fibrosis prevention is your best bet! Getting your post liposuction lymphatic drainage massages, wearing adequate compression and practicing at home self care can go a long way in preventing fibrosis from settling in post your liposuction or BBL procedure.
However, if you have already developed fibrosis then massage can definitely help! The best results are accomplished if you start your fibrosis treatments within a year of your liposuction since collagen is still in the remodelling phase for the first year or two. Beyond the second year, fibrosis is more challenging to treat. You will need more treatments and might not see as dramatic of a result but with consistency results can still be achieved.
My advice to you is to prevent after liposuction fibrosis from developing in the first place and to treat it early once it sets in. This will produce the best results!
Another tip is seeing a therapist that is familiar with and has training in cosmetic surgery and liposuction fibrosis treatment! Many massage therapists are trained in lymphatic drainage, but this does not mean that they are your best bet when it comes to managing plastic surgery clients. Plastic surgery and in particular liposuction and Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) present a unique set of challenges, and this is why post cosmetic surgery massage training and experience is key. If you are not achieving results it might be time to find a new therapist!
Is after liposuction fibrosis massage painful?
If you have developed fibrosis after liposuction the techniques used to break it down and soften the tissues are deeper and more intense than regular post-op recovery massage. While there may be a certain degree of discomfort associated with these techniques, I work within the client’s pain tolerance and try to minimize discomfort as much as possible. Clients usually report feeling a lot better after their fibrosis treatment due to increased range of motion and softening of the fibrotic area.
What can I do at home to treat after liposuction fibrosis?
I always tell my clients that self care is key! You might only be seeing me for a couple of hours a week, so what you do the remainder of the time has a tremendous effect in your recovery.
Here are some self-care aspects I usually discuss with my liposuction lymphatic drainage and liposuction fibrosis clients:
- Post liposuction lymphatic self massage
- Liposuction fibrosis self massage
- Various tools they can use to self massage such as massage rollers and vibration massagers
- Lymphatic dry brushing
- Inserts that can be worn in your faja to break down fibrosis such as special foam pads
- Stretching and exercise
- Skin care
All this self care can sound daunting, especially considering that many liposuction and BBL patients do not realize the extent of the recovery process, but I promise you that it is worth it! There is nothing worse than going through the pain, discomfort and expense of cosmetic surgery and still not feeling the confidence you envisioned due to developing fibrosis due to lack of post-op care. If you are looking for after liposuction or BBL fibrosis or lymphatic drainage massages in Vancouver, I am located in the South Granville area and would love to be part of your post-op recovery journey! If you have any questions please reach out to me, and I will do my best to assist you.