AboutAlan M. Engler, MD, FACS Expertise Dr. Engler has answered over 2300 plastic surgery questions for Allexperts. His expertise is in cosmetic plastic surgery including breast surgery (breast enlargement with implants, breast reduction, breast lifts), liposuction, eyelid surgery, tummy tucks, facelifts etc.
Dr. Engler has been listed as one New York`s Top Doctors, and as "One of the World's Most Famous Aesthetic Surgeons" (Aesthetic Surgery, TASCHEN Books, Angelika Taschen, Editor). He is the author of 4 books, including "BodySculpture" (a best-selling plastic surgery book on breast surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks), "EyeScapes" (Plastic Surgery of the Eyelids), "Restylane," and "The Slim Book of Liposuction."
Dr. Engler has two US Patents for surgical instruments that he's designed, and has appeared on numerous television shows, including The Tyra Banks Show, The Ricki Lake Show (four times), and the Dr. Keith Ablow Show. Videos of his appearances are available on YouTube (SEARCH FOR "DR. ENGLER"). His website is www.bodysculpture.com.
Experience Dr. Alan Engler is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York and the author of BodySculpture - Plastic Surgery of the Body for Men and Women (ISBN 0966382749) one of the top-selling plastic surgery books on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, etc.
Organizations belong to ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery); ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons); ACS (American College of Surgeons); Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York
Question QUESTION: Hello Dr, I am a male 42 years old. I had liposuction done 2 months ago on my abdomen and love handles. As I write to you my stomach looks like I'm 9 months pregnant. My belly is very tender. I had an ultrasound done. The Dr. told me there was a collection of fluids that would probably go away on it's own. My plastic surgeon spends no more than a few minutes with me at his office saying that all will be well soon. I got a second opinion and was told by the PS that my results were inappropriate. Have you ever seen this before ? It gets so much worse at bed time. I hate the way I look ! From a 34 size in jeans, I'm up to 38-40 !
Please help ! Do you think I'll get better ?
Thanks !
Pete
ANSWER: Hi Pete,
There's more about lipo at my site, www.bodysculpture.com.
First of all, I am very sorry for the problems you're having. I'll offer some thoughts but it is, of course, impossible for me to make any significant statements or give advice via this online forum.
If what you're saying is accurate, then it sounds to me like you have a collection of fluid, often termed a seroma, in the regions that had surgery. While it's common to have swelling for several weeks to months after a lipo, it is typically worse in the first few weeks, and then should generally be moving in the right direction; ie, down. The treatment for a fluid collection, in general, is to make sure it's drained appropriately. That means either inserting a needle into the fluid, or inserting (or reinserting) one or more drains to empty the space or spaces. The fluid may be absorbed on its own but (a) it may not adequately (in which case some scar tissue can accumulate) and (b) its already been two months, so I think it merits addressing.
I'm not sure what to say in terms of talking to your PS. It sounds like you need to try to sit down and have a better discussion with him.
Sorry about that...
I hope that this helps, and good luck,
Dr. E
www.bodysculpture.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello again Dr. Thank you so very much for the quick reply.
I just wanted to let you know that I had an ultrasound done today.The report states that there are 3 places where a collection of liquids has formed.The first area is 2x0.5x3 inches.The 2 others are listed as non significant.
I met with my PS afterwards. He said That he will not drain such small collections. He said all the tenderness that I have is inflamation.He said that this will last until the beginning October. I was also told to be patient.
He did suggest 15 sessions of endomology.
Dr. Engler, do you think this will go away and that I should be patient ?
Thanks again for all your much appreciated assistance.You're the only Doctor putting my mind at ease !
Peter
Answer Hi Peter,
I cannot really comment on the specifics of your situation via this format.
I would probably try to drain that larger collection. But if that's the only one that shows up, then, clearly, most of what you're concerned about is not one, large, collection, so that's already good.
If you're uncomfortable with what you're hearing, you may want to get a second opinion from a surgeon in your area (you can find one at surgery.org and plasticsurgery.org)
