A lot of people get liposuction, which removes fat cells from different parts of the body. Even though liposuction is usually thought to be safe, it can lead to problems like fibrosis.
We will talk about what fibrosis after liposuction is, why it happens, and how to treat it in this piece.
What is Fibrosis after Liposuction?
Fibrosis usually refers to the growth or scarring of tissue. When liposuction is used for cosmetic reasons to get rid of fat, fibrosis means the growth of fibrous tissue in the treated area.
Fibrosis is a normal way for tissues to heal after they are damaged. In the case of liposuction, fibrosis may happen because the treatment hurts the tissues underneath. The growth of fibrous tissue can cause the skin’s surface to have uneven shapes, which can be scary for patients.
Are Lumps After Liposuction Common?
Unfortunately, many people who have had liposuction end up with lumps and bumps a few weeks or during the recovery period. How many of these lumps there are will depend on a number of things, such as the surgeon’s skill and method, the patient’s body, and how the body heals. The goal of liposuction is to get rid of extra fat in certain parts of the body through surgery. A sucking device is used to break up and remove fat cells.
It is normal to have some swelling, bruises, and lumpiness after liposuction. These problems usually go away as the healing process goes on. But sometimes, lumps or other flaws may stay in place. These can happen for a number of reasons, such as uneven fat loss, uneven repair, or the growth of scar tissue.
It is important to remember that some lumpiness is normal, but big or long-lasting changes could mean there is a problem, and you should talk to your surgeon about any worries you have.
It is very important to follow the after-surgery care instructions, wear compression garments as directed, and go to follow-up visits to make sure you heal properly and deal with any problems that may come up. If you are worried, you should talk to your dentist or other health care provider.
Causes of Fibrosis after Liposuction
Fibrosis can happen after liposuction for a number of reasons, such as:
- Damage to the tissues below during the process
- Too much forceful liposuction that takes out too much fat and cuts off the area’s blood flow
- Not good enough compression clothes that don’t support the treated area enough
- Infection or swelling in the place that was treated
Symptoms of Fibrosis after Liposuction
Fibrosis after liposuction can have different signs and symptoms based on how bad the condition is. Here are some common symptoms:
- Liposuction that leaves the treatment area lumpy or bumpy
- Surface kinks or swirls that aren’t smooth
- Getting tougher skin or tissue
- The treated spot hurts or feels bad.
- Not much movement in the affected area
Why Does Fibrosis Occur After Liposuction?
In many cases, scar tissue can form after liposuction for different reasons. Some of these are:
Fluid Accumulation
After a treatment, fluid can build up. When too much fluid builds up in the area being treated, it can make inflammation worse and cause fibrous tissue to form. The extra of this fluid can make the body’s fibrotic reaction stronger, which causes collagen to build up and scar tissue to form.
Incorrect Liposuction Technique
There may be changes in the shape of the treated area if the liposuction method is not done evenly or if too much fat is removed from one area compared to another. The body’s healing reaction can be sped up by uneven removal, which can cause fibrous tissue to grow in an effort to fix and rebuild the treated area.
Hematoma
A hematoma is a buildup of blood that is not in a blood vessel. A hematoma can form if there is blood during or after liposuction of the skin. Because this is in the body, it can cause inflammation and the growth of fibrous tissue as a natural reaction to injury.
Scar Tissue
An important part of the healing process is the creation of scar tissue. The body does this to fix and strengthen broken tissue. In some people, genetics and their body’s natural ability to heal can cause scar tissue to form too quickly, which can lead to lumps and other flaws.
Poor Healing
Different people heal at different rates, which can change how well liposuction works. Age, general health, and genetics are some of the things that can affect how well the body heals. If you don’t heal properly, you might have an overactive fibrotic reaction, which makes more scar tissue than necessary.
Infection
If proper hygiene is not kept before, during, or after liposuction, an infection could happen. The inflammatory reactions that happen because of an infection can help make fibrous tissue, which could lead to problems.
Some fibrosis is a regular part of the healing process, but too much or the wrong kind of fibrosis can cause problems. If you are worried about lumps or other problems that won’t go away after liposuction, you should see your surgeon right away for a full evaluation.
How to Get Rid of Fibrosis After Lipo
Put some oil on the area not too much, not too little.
This type of rubbing works best on skin that is neither too wet nor too dry. It should be able to “drag,” but not too much, so that we can focus on the skin, hypodermis, and subcutaneous tissue:
- If the skin is too oily or slippery, the massage will go too deep into the muscles.
- If the skin is too dry or doesn’t have enough oil, the massage will go too deep, to the epithelium.
You also want an oil that isn’t too dry (like coconut oil), too thick (like cocoa butter), or too thin (like soy or grape seed oil).
Almond, apricot, olive, and high-oleic sunflower oils are great for massages because they are moisturizing and have the right substance. You can also use shea butter oil.
If you don’t have any of the first three oils, that’s okay”you can use any oil. It’s just that the first four oils have the best drag for effective fibrosis massage. You should never pay £35 for a fake 30ml bottle of face oil that comes with a dropper!
Some vegetable oils, like argan oil or anything else that gets too much attention in advertising, are not magical and will not magically get rid of the hard lumps or the inflammation if they cost a lot.
Also, no, rose hip oil doesn’t have enough vitamin C to make a difference. Even if it did, not much would get through the skin. Because oils don’t go below the skin like creams do, this is the case. You can add 2 drops of essential oil (like lemon, mint, eucalyptus, etc.) to 5ml of oil, which is about 2% and more than enough.
Make sure to add some oil every so often while you’re massaging to keep the right amount of slip and drag.
Proceed with long, firm pressure strokes, up and down the area
It doesn’t matter which way these lines go: up or down. We are breaking up the fibrotic lumps right now, not draining fluids. You will have a chance to do more upward strokes later.
Actually, and this goes against what most people read on the internet, you DO need to massage in both ways to break up the fibrotic lumps and skin adhesions more effectively.
Use different amounts of pressure, softer at times and harder at other times. Check out the tissue to see what it can and cannot handle.
To keep the tissues from getting hurt, be gentle in the weeks 3″6 after surgery. From week 6 to 8, you can put a lot more pressure on it, but never so much that it hurts.
Do NOT do too much in any situation. It’s not a race, it’s a marathon. You can do it harder the next day if you do it too lightly the first time. Always give yourself a day in between. But if you do too much, your face will be sore and maybe even swollen the next day, which will make things worse and bring you back. Use ice two or three times a day, and wait two or three days between sessions.
Start kneading the hard lumps, as you would knead dough
Check to see how much pressure the tissues can handle by applying lighter and stronger pressure at different times. Do that for a few minutes, making sure you feel just enough pain to stop.
To keep the tissues from getting hurt, be gentle in the weeks 3″6 after surgery. From week 6 to 8, you can put a lot more pressure on it, but never so much that it hurts.
Massage the scar tissue with your knuckles
Again, use different amounts of pressure and massage in different directions with your fingers for a few minutes. Be careful not to do too much.
Long, medium-pressure strokes should be used to massage upwards with more oil.
For a few minutes, do that to improve lymphatic draining and blood flow. This will help bring nutrients to the area and get rid of waste products from extra fluids. The extra oil makes the skin slipperier so that your hand can easily move over it.
Apply some ice for 10-20 minutes, to help with inflammation
To avoid ice cuts, always put ice on something through a thin cloth. When it comes to icing, more is not better. You can leave the ice on for 10 to 20 minutes or take it off sooner if it gets too cold, painful, etc. When you use icing, moderation is key. A few times a day, you can carefully put ice on the area.
No matter what, never get burned by the ice!
Apply a good cream with multiple relevant actives in high concentrations
Centella asiatica, EGCG, and curcumin are some good actives that are known to help heal and stop the growth of scar tissue. Make sure you never put the cream on a cut that is already open.
Conclusion
Fibrosis after liposuction is a common occurrence involving the growth of fibrous tissue, leading to lumps and uneven skin textures. While typically part of the healing process, it can be exacerbated by factors such as tissue damage, inadequate compression, or infection. Effective management includes proper post-operative care, gentle home massage techniques, the use of appropriate oils and creams, and applying ice to reduce inflammation. If persistent issues arise, consulting with a healthcare professional is essential.