Preventing Skin Dimpling after Liposuction

Cosmetic surgery allows patients to address imperfections to enhance their appearance and boost confidence. In the majority of cases, patients achieve their aesthetic goals without any signs of complication or irregularities. However, in rare cases, complications will arise and it is important for patients to be aware of those possibilities, as well as how to prevent and/or treat those complications, prior to undergoing surgery. In the case of liposuction, a popular treatment that improves body contours by eliminating excess fat, one of the potential complications is skin dimpling after treatment. While skin dimpling is not a safety hazard for patients, it can interfere with the patient’s desired surgical results. Therefore, we educate our Fort Worth patients about the causes of liposuction dimpling and how it can be avoided or treated.

What Is Skin Dimpling?

Skin dimpling is a potential complication of liposuction that may arise after a patient has undergone treatment. Although it is not common, a patient may notice that the skin looks irregular and dimpled after liposuction. While the treatment area will still be slimmed down and toned, the skin may not be as smooth as the patient desired. In the cases of skin dimpling, the skin will take on a rougher, more uneven texture, similar to that which is experienced by patients with cellulite. This condition is more likely to develop when a large area of the body has been treated and is often the result of one of the following:

• Rapid removal of body fat (quick liposuction treatment)
• Poor skin elasticity
• Weight gain or loss after liposuction treatment
• The presence of cellulite prior to liposuction treatment

Preventing Skin Dimpling

The first precaution that should be taken to avoid skin dimpling and any other complications of liposuction treatment is to choose a surgeon who is skilled and experienced in producing successful, attractive liposuction results. Unfortunately, even under the care of a superior plastic surgeon, dimpling may occur. Below are some steps that patients can take during liposuction recovery to avoid this undesirable complication:

• Follow all post-op instructions
• Wear provided compression garments as directed
• Stay well-hydrated
• Maintain a healthy, stable weight
• Avoid excessive sugar, sodium, and trans fats

Treating Dimpling

In the cases in which the skin does become dimpled after liposuction, there are some treatment options to consider that may improve the texture of the skin to enhance liposuction results. Below are some of the treatments that may be effective in minimizing skin dimpling after liposuction:

• Massage
• Laser skin tightening treatment
• Skin tightening surgery
• Fat injections

Dr. Rumalla can discuss each of these options with those patients who are looking to improve skin texture after liposuction.

Schedule an Appointment

If you are concerned with stubborn pockets of fat that are compromising the shape of your figure, schedule an appointment to learn more about liposuction. Under the skilled care of Dr. Vishnu Rumalla, patients can enjoy the benefits of a tighter and more toned body. We look forward to hearing from you!