Can The Liposuction Scars on My Calfs Be Improved?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had liposuction done to my calfs out of state.  My calves look great and I am happy with results but I’m not happy with the indented scars that are left. Three of the eight incisions are indented.  The incisions were left open to drain and were not stitched up.  I understand some docs do this and some don’t.  I guess it’s a preference thing.  They are very small incisions but I still do not like that they are indented.  Because of the location on my calves, they show a lot.  I feel like everyone will now know what I had done.  I can’t enjoy the results because of this.  I feel like I would have been better off if they were stitched up and became keloid scars this way I could flatten them with scar strips like I have done in the past.  Even with scar revision, I know they will not go away completely.  I am realistic about this but as indented as they are, they will attract more attention.  I have had liposuction in the past on other body parts and the incisions were sutured up and now you cannot even see the scars.  So I do have experience with this.  That is what I was hoping for these too.  Now there is nothing I can do to pull them out.  I have included pictures.  I would like to discuss what method you would use to pull them out or even cut out the scar and resuture.  I heard some doctors make another incision and then loosen the connective tissue (with a needle) that is pulling it down and then suture it up.  This is what I would be interested in.  What would you charge per indentation?   If this is something that you are comfortable doing or have experience with, please have your assistant contact me.

A: Indented scars from liposuction are common on the calfs if they are not sutured closed because the skin is so naturally tight and thick. This is particularly true on the back of the calfs. The best approach would be to a simple scar revision by excision, release the indentations by needle (subcision) and then reclose them. This would be a fairly simple procedure done in the office under local anesthesia.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis,Indiana