alternatively post a screen grab! ,saving the file should not change the actual geometry of the object ,just for clarity what version of LightWave and how did you save it LWO format?
sounds more like a subd level has dropped if you saved several files / steps ie you have more than 1 saved file you can cross reference the lwo in a text editor and see if there is something major changed . " dont be scared "
always save in incremental stages lwo.1 ,lwo2 ect Save is your friend
GL