Bumps and Lumps (4 weeks post-lipo)

[laila]

I'm starting to freak out because everything was fine until week 3. I then started to develop some bumps and wavy areas in my abdomen, which I am worried will be permanent. I've started to massage them, but is this normal and, most importantly, PERMANENT?

[maria]

This is what I wrote last year :
Lipo:
I sometimes think the early days post lipo are the easiest because you expect some type of discomfort but one does not expect the prolonged soreness.
What will happen to most is the following post lipo:
day 10-14-hard,lumpy, firm areas will be found where you had lipo-some describe it as a kind of ropey feeling too in spots..especially inner thighs and belly

2 weeks on-periods of intense itching...it is the nerves regenerating..not much helps..it makes you sorer to scratch..lotions will only give you a few minutes relief....sometimes very hot showers will help....itching can come and go over the next 4-5 months

stiffness, tightness in moving-occurs in inner thighs, and under arms and neck areas lipo'd...gentle stretching and massaging helps-can last 4-5 months and changes daily

Swelling..one day good...next day a lot of swelling-this occurs up to 6 months and often up to a year...no rhyme or reason. Compression garments help a LOT with this

numbness of skin-can last up to 6-12 months...itching occurs when feeling starts to come back

lipo of inner/outer thighs/flanks/hips-incredibly sensitive to sit or turn from side to side as when in a bed and also to sit on toilet-lasts about 4 months.

A lot depends on how much you had done but seems to be the average for many here.
And..is it worth it? YES YES YES!!!!!!!

[laila]

Thanks for the info. My doctor didn't take out a whole lot of fat from abdomen, but what bothers me is that I didn't have any dimpling (cellulite look) in my abs before and now I do. I guess I have to keep massaging and simply wait it out.

[laila]

Anyone else have any suggestions? I guess I want to hear from the VETS who have experienced this in the past.

[sun]

You may want to try Endermologie to smooth out the lumps and waviness. That's what I did after my lipo and revisions. Both times, I waited a couple of weeks and went to a local spa and paid $75 for endermologie treatments once a week for about a month. I really do believe that it helped because it's a deeper massage than what you can do yourself and involves suction with rollers. My massage therapist started on the lowest setting and it really did feel good, just like a massage. Afterwards, I didn't have any lumps or waviness left.

[maria]

I had major lipo Sept 04 and revisions Feb 05 so I qualify as a vet. One of the warnings that are given to anyone having lipo is that cellulite can become more pronounced and even show up in places you previously did not have it. The good news, in your case, is that cellulite is not usually an issue on the belly so I am thinking , especially since you are so early in the healing, that you are experiencing the totally normal part of the recovery.
Endermology helps break up these hardened areas, as well as ultrasound and if you can find anyone who does lymph massage that would be the best bet but they are hard to find.
Expect to have this for a good 3-4 months...yes, it often takes that long to smooth things out.
And, wearing your stage 2 garment is important to to help smooth out what fat is left post lipo. The garment helps to mold your new shape so it needs to be snug, not loose in any way.

[laila]

I hate that I'm starting to obsess w/this bumpy stomach. I'm using this forum as a means of therapy and hoping that it will go away.

I'm going to wait another week (I'll be @ 6 weeks post-op) before I try the Endermologie. Again, if anyone out there has anything else to add (stories, experiences), I'd really appreciate it.

[petlover]

Lumps and bumpiness are common side effects. I think they usually go away. You can always check with your surgeon to look at you.