Blog post —
Body Sculpting for men - Botched liposuction & more
Updated on 9 July 2026
Key Takeaway
- Undercorrection and overcorrection are common causes of botched liposuction results, linked to the surgeon's competence.
- Medical tourism contributes significantly to these cases, as overseas providers may not meet Singapore's MOH standards.
- Choosing a provider based solely on cost is a major factor in poor outcomes.
- Botched liposuction in men often leads to emotional and financial stress
- Corrective surgeries are usually more complex, requiring advanced surgical skills that not all liposuction surgeons possess.
Body sculpting and liposuction are increasingly popular among men, not just women, as a way to permanently address stubborn fat, correct disproportionate body shapes, and improve confidence and psychological wellbeing.
But when things go wrong, the consequences can be severe: scarring, lumps, unnatural contours, and profound psychological distress [1].
Botched liposuction cases are on the rise in Singapore, and many of them were originally performed overseas. Others happened right here at home.
Dr Ivan Puah, MOH-accredited liposuction doctor, Chairman of the Lipo Peer Review Committee Singapore and lead author of gynecomastia paper titled, 'Surgical Management of Gynecomastia in Asian Men - Clinical Experience and Considerations for Different Patient Types,' explains why male body sculpting procedures can go wrong, how to correct them, and exactly what to look for when choosing a corrective surgery doctor.
Why Men Choose Body Sculpting and Liposuction
Men seek liposuction and body sculpting procedures for many reasons, most of them deeply personal and carefully considered.
Common motivations include:
- Permanently removing stubborn fat that resists diet and exercise
- Correcting disproportionate body fat distribution
- Achieving a more sculpted, defined physique
- Boosting self-esteem and body confidence
- Treating gynecomastia, the enlargement of male breast tissue, which affects an estimated 60 to 70% of men in certain age groups and causes both physical discomfort and significant psychological distress
"It is important to zoom in on the intent of the patient for wanting to improve themselves. Mostly, they have thought it over carefully, are in good health and have good self-esteem, and understand the risks of the procedure they're considering. Patients seek cosmetic procedures for a multitude of personal reasons that are beyond vanity," says Dr Puah.
When liposuction is performed well, most patients maintain their results through improved lifestyle habits, regular exercise and better nutrition [2].
What Happens When Body Sculpting Goes Wrong
The liposuction doctor performing the procedure is the single most critical factor in determining its outcome.
Effective liposuction requires a three-dimensional understanding of anatomical and surgical adipose layers, combined with scientific knowledge, surgical precision, and genuine artistic skill [3].
The two most common causes of poor liposuction results are:
Undercorrection |
Insufficient fat removal leaves the patient with unsatisfactory results. |
Overcorrection |
Excessive fat removal beyond the desired contour line results in noticeable indentations, depressions, bumps, dents, and asymmetries. |
Why Botched Liposuction Happens: 3 Root Causes
1. Medical Tourism
Dr Puah has observed a high rise in patients opting for corrective surgery after undergoing liposuction or gynecomastia surgery overseas, including Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and China.
While the lower cost is highly appealing, what is frequently overlooked is:
- pre-op consultations not as thorough as it should be [4]
- lack of stringent regulations [5]
- inconsistent clinical standards [6]
- absence of post-operative follow-up once patients return home [7]
"Patients who have been through such experiences frequently complain of a lack of medical follow-up, miscommunication, improper preparation, and incomplete procedure counselling. Singapore now has one of the most stringent policies in the world, to ensure patient safety and maintain the highest standard of care for patients," Dr Puah notes.
Only MOH-accredited doctors are legally permitted to perform liposuction, a high standard that does not apply to overseas providers.
2. Choosing Based on Price Alone
Selecting a liposuction provider purely on cost, without assessing reputation, experience, and surgical approach, is one of the most common reasons patients end up requiring secondary or corrective surgery [8].
The goal, says Dr Puah, is to find the most appropriate procedure for your needs; not the cheapest option.
3. Insufficient Research
Finding an MOH-accredited liposuction doctor is only the starting point.
Patients must also verify that:
- The doctor performs liposuction regularly and with consistency.
- Those before-and-after photos demonstrate clear, natural-looking results across varied body types.
- The doctor provides a clear, straightforward explanation of the recommended procedure following a proper assessment of your condition and medical history.
The Psychological Impact of Botched Liposuction in Men
The consequences of a poorly performed liposuction procedure extend well beyond the physical.
"One of the main reasons a person opts for liposuction is to correct disproportionate body fat distribution and to improve their body confidence. Therefore, the psychological effects of a procedure gone wrong can be devastating," says Dr Puah.
Documented psychological consequences include:
- Anxiety and chronic self-consciousness [9]
- Severely diminished self-esteem and body confidence [9]
- Social withdrawal [9]
- In some cases, depression [9]
These effects are compounded by the additional burden of pursuing and undergoing corrective surgery, often at high emotional and financial cost.
How to Fix Botched Liposuction: Corrective Surgery
If you are unsatisfied with the results of a previous liposuction procedure, corrective surgery, also known as liposuction correction surgery, may be an option.
Depending on the specific issues present, corrective procedures may include:
- Secondary liposuction: To address undercorrection or remaining fat deposits
- Fat grafting or fat injections: To fill uneven depressions, dents, and dimples caused by overcorrection
- Skin contouring: To improve texture irregularities such as puckering, rippling, lumpiness
- Gynecomastia corrective surgery: For men with botched male breast reduction results, including chest dents, skin folds, and uneven contours
Corrective surgery is more complex and technically demanding than the original procedure.
It requires a surgeon with specific experience in corrective cases, not all liposuction doctors are equipped to handle them.
How to Choose the Right Corrective Surgery Doctor in Singapore
Ask about |
Why it’s important |
Experience & Past Patient’s Cases |
Performing liposuction and corrective surgery for botched lipo require distinct skill sets. Ask the doctor about their years of experience in corrective surgery. Request to see cases of past patients who have undergone botched lipo. Request to see the past patient’s specific complications and their success rates. |
MOH accreditation |
In Singapore, only doctors accredited by the Ministry of Health (MOH) can perform liposuction as well as corrective liposuction. |
Surgical approach & aesthetic judgment |
Effective corrective surgery necessitates a doctor who possesses not only technical precision but also aesthetic sensibility and strategic thinking. The doctor should be able to develop a viable solution that improves the outcome of the botched liposuction. |
Transparency & communication |
A trustworthy doctor will provide: • A detailed explanation of the tailored surgical plan • Clearly outline the potential risks • Offer an honest assessment of your condition |
Ethical standards |
The doctor should be transparent about how they plan to address the problematic areas and be honest about the possible outcomes of the corrective surgery. |
About Dr Ivan Puah: MOH-Accredited Liposuction Doctor in Singapore
Dr Ivan Puah is accredited by Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) to perform liposuction and is also the Chairman of the Lipo Peer Review Committee Singapore.
His international training includes:
- Vaser Liposuction: Colorado and Argentina
- Laserlipolysis (Laser Liposuction): Italy
- Gynecomastia Surgery: San Francisco, under gynecomastia surgeon, Dr Miguel Delgrado
- Fat Grafting: Under renowned French plastic surgeon, Dr Pierre François Fournier
His proprietary MDC-Sculpt® Lipo Technique (Multi-Dimensional Contouring) is designed to remove over 90% of localised subcutaneous fat cells with precision sculpting, minimal scarring, and reduced downtime, tailored to each patient's unique body shape and goals.
"Apart from honing the necessary skills to perfect the results for patients, a liposuction doctor must be ethical. They must possess an equal blend of empathy to understand a patient's needs and professionalism to provide the best advice and solution to help the patient achieve a realistic goal," says Dr Puah.
FAQ
Why is botched liposuction more common in men who have had procedures done overseas?
Overseas providers are not subject to Singapore's MOH accreditation requirements.
Many popular medical tourism destinations have less stringent clinical standards, minimal pre-operative counselling, and no post-operative follow-up once patients return home, significantly increasing the risk of poor outcomes and complications.
Can gynecomastia surgery go wrong?
Yes. Botched gynecomastia surgery can result in chest dents, skin folds, scarring, asymmetry, and unnatural contours,particularly when performed by inexperienced practitioners or overseas providers.
Corrective gynecomastia surgery is available but is significantly more complex than the original procedure.
How do I know if my liposuction results can be corrected?
A consultation with an experienced liposuction corrective surgeon is the first step.
Most cases of undercorrection, overcorrection, dimpling, and asymmetry can be addressed through a combination of re-liposuction, fat grafting, and skin contouring, but results depend on the nature and severity of the original issue.
Is liposuction in Singapore safe?
Liposuction in Singapore is among the most tightly regulated in the world. Only MOH-accredited doctors may legally perform the procedure.
When performed by a qualified, experienced doctor on a suitable candidate with proper pre- and post-operative care, liposuction is a well-established and safe procedure.
What should men look for in a liposuction doctor in Singapore?
The most important criterion is for the doctor in Singapore to be MOH-accredited.
The next list of criteria include:
- have a high and consistent case volume
- before-and-after case studies of previous patients treated
- transparent and clear communication
- a structured aftercare programme
Choosing based on price alone is one of the most common reasons men end up requiring corrective surgery.
Reference
[1] ElHawary H, Saed Aldien A, Alam P, Janis JE. When Liposuction Goes Wrong: An Analysis of Medical Litigation. Aesthet Surg J. 2021 Sep 14;41(10):NP1337-NP1338. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjab156. PMID: 33780525; PMCID: PMC8438641.
[2] https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/maintaining-results-after-liposuction
[3] Hong YG, Sim HB, Lee MY, Seo SW, Chang CH, Yeo KK, Kim JK. Three-dimensional circumferential liposuction of the overweight or obese upper arm. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2012 Jun;36(3):497-503. doi: 10.1007/s00266-011-9856-z. Epub 2012 Feb 7. PMID: 22311003.
[4] Byun M, Baek HJ, Kim T, Jung J, Lee H, Lee Y, Kim S, Lee W, Choi SH, Lee SY, Kim JS. Video Consultations for Patients Traveling Internationally for Medical Care: An Observational Study of a Tertiary Hospital in South Korea. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Mar 24;22(4):481. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22040481. PMID: 40283710; PMCID: PMC12026667.
[5] Virani, A., Wellstead, A. M., & Howlett, M. (2020). The north-south policy divide in transnational healthcare: a comparative review of policy research on medical tourism in source and destination countries. Globalization and health, 16(1), 37.
[6] Jalali, M., Haghgoshayie, E., Janati, A., Yoshari, P., & Khodayari-Zarnaq, R. (2025). Health tourism: a global perspective on the barriers and facilitators. Discover public health, 22(1), 157.
[7] Slovacek C, Mailey B. Who Owns the Complications? A Call for Accountability in Cosmetic Medical Tourism. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2026 Jan 14;14(1):e7420. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000007420. PMID: 41541243; PMCID: PMC12803711.
[8] Hery D, Schwarte B, Patel K, Elliott JO, Vasko S. Plastic Surgery Tourism: Complications, Costs, and Unnecessary Spending? Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2023 Dec 21;6:ojad113. doi: 10.1093/asjof/ojad113. PMID: 38213470; PMCID: PMC10783483.
[9] Papadopulos, N. A., Kolassa, M. J., Henrich, G., Herschbach, P., Kovacs, L., Machens, H. G., & Klöppel, M. (2019). Quality of life following aesthetic liposuction: A prospective outcome study. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 72(8), 1363-1372.
