Arm liposuction recovery

I had my arms Liposuctioned almost 3 months ago. I had great elasticity before the procedure, so the doctor told me I was an excellent candidate. However, now I have some sagging skin on one arm, and while most of the lumps are gone, I still have a big lump on the other arm. I massage it daily but it won't go away. The doctor said I should get some more retraction, but I'm not too sure about that. Are these things normal after Liposuction?

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11 answers to “Arm liposuction recovery”

A: I would continue to follow the advice of your plastic surgeon as he/she knows and you the best!

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

Skin and soft tissue irregularities are known complications following liposuction. I usually do not perform revision surgery following liposuction until at least 3 to 6 months, depending upon each patient’s physical findings. I would continue to follow the advice of your plastic surgeon. He/she knows... more

A: Skin retraction after liposuction

Steven H. Williams, MD

It can take up to 6 months to see the final results of skin tightening after liposuction.  What may help your post-op progress is a compression garment which will help keep the edema down and aid in skin retraction, though at three months the utility of the garment is minimal. The lump itself may... more

A: Irregularities after liposuction

Adam David Lowenstein, MD

In the early postoperative period, some irregularities are normal following liposuction. Resolution of swelling and localized areas of infammantion can take up to a few months to improve, and often are helped with massage and compression. Especially in bilateral procedures such as yours, when you have a... more

A: Wait a bit more

Steven Wallach, MD

Lumpiness can be from swelling or areas that were not adequately liposuctioned. However, it is a bit early to revise anything. Massage is unlikely to improve the lumpiness at this time.  The skin laxity will probably not improve.

A: you will likely need a touch up procedure

Shahram Salemy, MD

It sounds like there may be a small area of fat that is still remaining, but this can easily be treated with a procedure under local anesthetic. Give yourself a minimum of 6 months before undergoing a repeat procedure, but it should do the trick.

A: Two issues

Brent Moelleken, MD

You mentioned you had two issues with your liposuction:  lumpiness at 3 months' time and sagging skin on one arm.  Presumably there is an asymmetry since one side is sagging and the other not. The best course is generally to wait for about 6 months before considering revision liposuction, if any is... more

A: Time will help

Darrick E. Antell, MD

Hopefully, you will have some more retraction of the skin and evening out of the lumpy areas. Give it a little more time. It can take six months to a year for full healing.  

A: You may need an arm lift

John P. Di Saia, MD

Hello, Liposuction in the arms can leave sagging skin. The "Real" question is whether or not the problem you have is skin or fat-related. I agree to give it time (at least 6 months) to sort out. The alternative may be a brachioplasty which involves a skin excision and a long scar, so waiting at this... more

A: Wait, massage - Liposuction revision may be needed

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Loose skin 3 months following liposuction is better treated by compression and exercise. I have seen many cases where great improvement was made by conservative management. The very few cases where an excision surgery is needed are probably cases where liposuction was not the best procedure to start with... more

A: Loose skin after Liposuction

Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Some contour irregularities are common after liposuction. Typically, your skin will shrink over 6 months after the surgery. So, you still have a couple of months of further skin retraction left. As for the lumps, massaging and compression garments may help further. Make sure you follow-up with your surgeon and... more

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