I had arms lifts 14 days ago & my arms are completely uneven. I don't see my doctor for 5 days. (photos)

I agree with you, your arms are uneven. I would suggest you express your concerns to your plastic surgeon. I would suggest perhaps, you see him sooner than five days. The asymmetry can be due to multiple causes. Asymmetry can be caused by a collection of blood (hematoma), collection of fluid (seroma), swelling, uneven compression, or skin laxity, to name just a few. It is important for your plastic surgeon to examine you and run through this list to determine your diagnosis. This list is called a differential diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is established, a treatment plan can be formulated. If it is a hematoma or seroma, these can usually be drained. If it is just swelling, you may just need a compression garment. If it is indeed skin laxity, you may need an arm revision surgery in several weeks. The revision surgery can be performed in the office or the operating room. The revision surgery should not take more than one hour. Your prior incision could be used for your revision. You should not require any further arm incisions.There is nothing wrong with two plastic surgeons operating on each arm at the same time. Each side may look perfect, but the sides might not match. It is essential when two surgeons are operating, that the results MUST be symmetric. I believe it is more difficult to achieve symmetry with two plastic surgeons. For this reason, in my private practice, I personally perform surgery on both arms. In addition, there is nothing wrong with training programs or resident surgeons. Every single plastic surgeon was a resident for many years before becoming a board-certified plastic surgeon. I hope this answers your question regarding insurance coverage for arm lifts, arm reductions, brachioplasties, asymmetry, and arm revisions. Good luck! If you have any more questions regarding your arm lift and arm lift revision, please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.

Thanks for the question.  You should relay these concerns to your surgeon and be examined.In looking at your photos I agree they is a clear asymmetry between the two extremities.  However, as you are very early in the recovery process, I would urge for watchful waiting at this point.  In some situations a small fluid collection such as a seroma or hematoma may be contributing to the problem and can be drained.  This can be determined with a physical examination.  Otherwise, I would tell you that the final results cannot be appreciated until all swelling and healing has occurred and the skin has healed to its new contour.  At that point, you and your surgeon may consider revision to address areas of asymmetry.Good luck!

There are always differences right to left - before and after surgery. Sounds like you had different healing on the right- tight bandage, seroma. It doesn't look like anything urgent. See if you can get an appointment sooner to be examined by your plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns.

Tiffany, the fact that you have some issues early with the right arm, may have contribute to the asymmetry. Things change as the tissues heal and the skin may contract after the swelling goes away. If several months from now the asymmetry still bothers you, I am sure your surgeon will offer you a revision. Just for peace of mind, let me tell you that the amount of skin removed, has more to do with the preoperative markings, than with the surgeon who cuts through those markings. The surgeon with more experience is always responsible for the case.

You do appear to have some excess tissue at both ends of you incision. Timing is everything in surgery especially if you need a revision for symmetry. You will form scar tissue everywhere you have had surgery and scar tissue heals by contracting and remodeling. I like to let that process occur and then consider revisional surgery to get a more exact result in 6 months.

It does appear that you have some asymmetry. A collection of fluid should be ruled out. You may need to discuss a possible revision with your surgeon.

Yes I agree with obvious asymmetry. Call to be seen ASAP................................................

The asymmetry you see could be due to a few things. It may be due to a fluid collection under the wound (a seroma), extra fluid in the skin (edema - quite possibly from a garment or wrap that was not high enough, but it also could be that there is some extra skin still and you may need a revision. Two weeks is still very early in the post operative period. Edema will certainly improve but the others may need some intervention. See your surgeon soon especially if the bump is tense.