3 weeks post op arm lift wound separation concerns! (photo)

This is a common problem with arm lift healing.   Continue to followup with your surgeon to get the best advice as the wounds continue to heal, as every plastic surgeon has his/her own wound healing recommendations. There will be months of healing before the scars will mature.  I recommend protein shakes for optimal incision healing. Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Hi Latoyat28, Thank you very much for your questions regarding your open arm pit wound after your arm lift or brachioplasty.  It is very important that you follow up with your local plastic surgeon.  The wound is getting larger because of tension in the arm wound. With your type of arm lift, the tension is highest in the armpit. Tissue tension is perhaps why your arm lift incision opened in the arm pit.  Additionally, there are sweat glands in the arm pit which also lead to poor healing.  The yellow tissue that you see is collagen and collective tissue. It is difficult to see the progression of your wounds, but it appears that your arm wound is not infected and is healing properly.  Every plastic surgeon treats wounds differently. Therefore, it is important you follow up with your plastic surgeon and do not go with general advice.  For my patients with arm pit wounds like this, I advise they use wet-to-dry dressings with Dakin's solution. Dakin's solution helps to eliminate the yellow tissue and minimizing infection. I also would encourage a daily multivitamin, extra vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc. You may also want to consider using a hyperbaric chamber. Hyperbaric chambers force oxygen into the tissue and can accelerate wound healing after a brachioplasty.  Once the yellow tissue is gone, I suggest you use a spray to stimulate granulation tissue. Once granulation tissue is established then, we use bacitracin ointment for final skin closure.  I hope I have answered your questions regarding your arm pit wound after your arm lift.  It may take three or four weeks for this arm pit wound to heal.   Good luck. Again, please contact you plastic surgeon as soon as possible.  If you have anymore questions regarding the arm lift, arm reduction, brachioplasty, arm liposuction, or wound breakdown after an arm lift, please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.  

So even though your arm looks terrible, this is not a big or unusual problem. Wound breakdown after arm lift is common especially in the armpit area. It also heals very well if given half a chance. If kept clean with simple soap and water and redressed daily, this wound will heal over the next 2-3 weeks with no further surgery. Just make sure to not overdo it until it has. Hope that helps,Adam Goodwin

Thank you for your question.  This is not an uncommon occurrence after brachioplasty, as there is constant motion with your arms and upper body, which places tension on the skin incisions as they are healing.  Based on your photos, your wound looks clean with healthy pink tissue, which will gradually shrink the wound over time.  The white layer is most likely a protein exudate from the open surface area.  You appear to be doing well with wound care with soap and water, but your plastic surgeon may have additional recommendations to try antibacterial creams or ointments as well.  Good luck! 

It is not uncommon to have areas of tissue breakdown after a brachioplasty.  Keep doing the wound care that your surgeon recommended and this area should go on to heal nicely.  Take care.Timothy A. Janiga MD, FACS