I have been searching for months and meeting with many plastic surgery centers in Maryland and in other states and I can attest that Dr. Ashruf’s Cosmetic Center is the absolute best. I have been ashamed of how the skin on my arms look so horrible and I knew eventually I would need an arm lift. I have a history of developing hypertrophic scars, it’s more like a hit or miss and I’ve heard that Dr. Ashruf’s surgery incisions are the best. As soon as I walked into the center, I was greeted warmly and offered water. This rarely happens at other plastic surgery centers that treat patients like numbers not people. After I met with Dr. Ashruf, he looked at my arms and thoroughly explained the arm lift procedure and how he would hide the incision. He understood my concerns about hypertrophic scars and assured me he would ensure the incisions would be meticulous. I then met with Farah, who’s the absolute best. She went over the arm lift quote and communicated with me promptly via email. If you’re thinking on having an arm lift, breast augmentation, etc..you will be completely winning going to Dr. Ashruf’s and team. I give the consultation an A++++!!
I will follow up my review of the Arm Lift as I near my procedure date. I will upload before and after pictures soon.
Updated on 2 Oct 2023:
I feel it’s extremely important to show my before arm pictures. I lost weight and had liposuction in my arms many years ago. This caused arm skin laxity and crepy skin. I did one round of microneedling, but this didn’t improve the skin in my arms. I have a tendency to get hypertrophic scars. It’s a hit or miss, but most importantly, it’s the surgeons experience and expertise in closing the incision. Dr. Ashruf’s incisions, I’m told, are incredible. So, I wanted to show my before arms. I’m scheduled for surgery October 26, 2023. I will post incision pictures as I heal.
Updated on 5 Nov 2023:
I arrived at my surgeon’s office, which has a surgery center within. I was escorted back and asked to change. The nurse had some difficulty putting in the IV line because my veins are extremely difficult-she had to put the line in the hand, because the arm has to be left free. The anesthesiologist had to put in the line and I was taken into the surgery room, which I quickly knocked out.
I woke up from the anesthesia, with my arms wrapped in ace bandages and my ride picked me up. I was given directions not to raise my hands over my head for the next 2 weeks. Not to lift anything heavy and to rest. To prevent blood clots, I had compression stockings but told to get up and walk and not lay in bed all day.
I laid in many pillows on my back with my head and arms elevated.
I ate food low in sodium and drank plenty of water. I was taking antibiotics for 7 days to prevent infection and had a follow up appointment the next day.
At my follow up appointment, I was changed from the ace bandages into my compression garment. I scheduled a week follow up.
Dr. Ashruf is very warm and he made me feel safe and in good hands at all times. He is a perfectionist. He also supplied me with scar cream during the initial stages of my incisions healing and then scar gel after they closed.
After a couple of days, I changed my garnet from Large to Small. I made this decision because I felt the Large garment provided was good for right after surgery but I needed to feel more supported and the Small garment gave me that extra support.
Pain—the worst pain was the first 2 days. I stopped taking pain meds after the 4th day. Pain is tolerable.
I am attaching pictures of my incisions 1 week post op. I added the surgical tapes on the pictures to keep the tension on my incisions.
I will not plan to drive after my 2 week post op.
I do not plan to raise my arms over my head after my 4 week post op.
I will keep updating what the incision looks like at intervals and what I’m using on the incision.
Updated on 18 Nov 2023:
I had my 3 week post op appointment with Dr Ashruf and if you’re contemplating an arm lift, you MUST go to Dr Ashruf! His staff and his care for his patients to ensure the best results is superb! He provided silicone sheets to put over my incisions overnight. During the day, he provided a silicone scar gel to be applied 3 times a day while softly massaging the incisions in a circle motion. I’m adding my scars -4 days of using the silicon sheets and gel. Arm lift scars are extremely temperamental. You cannot gain weight or swell because of too much sodium. You have to keep your weight down for 6 months as the scars are maturing and getting stronger.
Updated on 27 Nov 2023:
I decided to use embrace scar compression sheets for my arm lift incision. I was using the silicon sheets and gel before using the embrace sheets. I started the embrace system on 11/22/23 and I’m approaching my 5th week post op of my arm lift.
The day of application, I washed gently with soap and water. I cleaned my skin with alcohol and used Cavilon barrier prep pads. I put on the embrace system myself. I did overlap two sheets to cover my entire incision. I then applied Tegaderm over the entire embrace system to prevent water from coming in and lifting. I’m 5 days in and nothing is lifting. I’m going to do 3 months of embrace and document the arm lift incision. I am prone to hypertrophic scars with increased tension- so hoping this will keep my incisions fine and thin. I will also protect from the sun. The arms will not see the sun until after April 2024. Sun can make the scar dark.
Updated on 7 Dec 2023:
I removed Embrace scar therapy today, I had it on for 16 days total. Tomorrow I have my 3rd follow up with my doctor and I’m using this time to rest my skin before my next application. I removed embrace extremely slow, by applying baby oil on the edges and as it kept peeling back, I added more oil until it was completely off.
The incision site looks really good. I will reapply embrace tomorrow after my 3rd appointment.
D
Updated on 22 Dec 2023:
I’m uploading pictures of how well my incisions are healing and my 2nd application of Embrace complete. I’m about to put the 3rd set on tonight and hopefully it last the full 14 days like the 1st two.
Updated on 14 Jan 2024:
4th Session complete. I have 2 more scar therapy sessions to go.