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Scarring After Arm Lift Surgery: What to Expect

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female-shows-under-arm-skinIn my personal opinion, the fear of post-surgery scarring should never be a reason for a patient to avoid plastic surgery. It’s true that scarring is an avoidable reality after any surgery. But that doesn’t mean that it will be severe or hinder the results that you are able to achieve. Today, I thought it would be helpful to go more in-depth on one specific cosmetic surgery that I perform, arm lift surgery, and explain what patients can realistically expect in terms of scarring after their procedure has been completed.

When it comes to how much scarring after plastic surgery a patient may experience, there are a few crucial factors to consider. In the case of arm lift surgery, these include how much skin, fat, and/or tissue is removed from the treated area, and also where the surgical incision will be made. Many people reach out to my office interested in an arm lift as a way to address loose skin that sags from the bottom of the upper arm area. I perform a traditional arm lift which utilizes an incision along the underside of the arm, ranging from the armpit to the elbow.

In most cases, scarring after an arm lift will only be visible when you raise your arms. This means it will not be seen when your arms are at your sides or in most other cases. However, in some cases scarring may even be more minor and easier to conceal. For patients with a smaller amount of excess skin on their upper arms, located closer towards the armpit, I may perform what is known as a limited incision arm lift. During this procedure, I make a smaller incision that is much easier to hide behind clothing. For patients who maintain strong skin elasticity in the area and opt to undergo upper arm liposuction instead of an arm lift, the scarring will be extremely minimal.

It’s important to remember that with the right surgical technique, care and post-procedure maintenance, arm lift scarring will fade significantly with time. It’s incredibly important to follow all post-surgery instructions carefully. Every person’s body will heal differently, but potential scarring after an arm lift should never be the determining factor when choosing to undergo the procedure or not. In my many years of performing the procedure, I have seen that the patient satisfaction rate following an arm lift is incredibly high.

Being able to successfully apply advanced techniques and minimize post-surgical scarring for my patients is a big reason why I’ve been named a Top Doctor in Atlanta for over 20 years. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. And don’t forget that you can also connect with me on Facebook for additional tips, videos, news, and more.

Should I Be Concerned About Scarring After Liposuction?

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In the lead up to a cosmetic procedure, I take the time to speak with my patients about any questions or potential concerns they may have about their surgery. And while every patient is unique and these concerns often vary significantly from person to person, one subject that comes up over and over again is the prevalence of post-surgery scarring. Even in the case of extremely common, routine procedures like liposuction, this is something for patients to be aware of.

I often explain to my liposuction patients that scarring after liposuction surgery is extremely minimal. While some degree of scarring is unavoidable whenever an incision is made during surgery, liposuction utilizes a device known as a micro-cannula to make tiny incisions that only leave tiny scars once the procedure is complete. Additionally, after many years of performing liposuction procedures, I am able to make incisions in areas of the body most helpful for concealing any potential post-surgery scarring.

In the following video, I discuss scarring after liposuction and what prospective patients should be aware of before their procedure:

In my experience, scarring is very rarely something that my liposuction patients are concerned with once their procedure is done and they see the fat reduction results that they have achieved. It’s also important to remember that even more visible scars will fade and become less visible over time with the right post-surgical care. If you are interested in liposuction surgery or any of the other cosmetic procedures that I perform, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, to schedule a consultation today. And follow along with me on Facebook and Twitter for more plastic surgery tips, news, videos, and more.

How Much Scarring Will I Have After My Tummy Tuck?

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Considering how popular it is (and has been throughout the years), it’s no wonder why I spend so much time speaking with patients interested in tummy tuck surgery. Every patient I meet with is different and comes to the office with their own unique questions and concerns about this procedure. However, the topic of scarring after a tummy tuck is among the most common topics addressed during pre-surgery consultation appointments.

tummy tuck surgeryThis is perfectly understandable. After all, no one wants a big, unsightly scar ruining the results of their surgery. However, it’s important to remember that there are steps I take during the procedure to reduce the appearance of visible scarring. Tummy tuck incisions are most commonly made from hip bone to hip bone, as well as a small incision around the belly button. This can vary depending on the type of tummy tuck surgery performed. In most cases, I am able to make my incision along the bikini line where it can be easily hidden by underwear or a bathing suit.

The size and color of the scar left after surgery varies from patient to patient depending on several factors. These factors include how much skin and tissue was removed during the procedure, the patient’s skin tone, and how vulnerable they are to scarring. Thankfully, any amount of post-tummy tuck scarring will fade over time with the right care and attention. I would also personally recommend the following tips to help minimize visible scarring:

  • Do not smoke or use other forms of nicotine that can constrict blood vessels and aggravate your scar.
  • Avoid any physical activity or motion that causes you to put additional pressure on your abdomen like bending and stretching.
  • Keep your skin moisturized and use a vitamin E topical that can help aid in the healing process.
  • Avoid direct sunlight after your procedure and make sure your incision area is protected with sunscreen if it is not covered when you are spending time out in the sun.

The best scar-reduction tip I can recommend is speaking about this subject with a board-certified plastic surgeon like myself and following your post-surgery instructions closely. In the long run, the outstanding tummy tuck results you achieve will more than make up for the scar maintenance steps you have to take in the days and weeks following your procedure. For more information or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter for additional tips, news, and practice updates.

 

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