I had upper arm surgery 3 weeks ago and it is puckered below the wound on the R arm. Can time help?

Question

I am leaving the US for 2 months and do not want to bother my surgeon if this is just a case of time

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

All surgeries need time to settle and heal.  Close follow up with your plastic surgeon weeks before you leave is recommended.

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

Keep in contact with your PS even by email. Massage will help and the bulky ends of the scars that are often called dog ears will improve with time. It can take 12-18 months for scars to settle but you are best to keep in touch with your PS.

Craig B. Boswell, MD · Answer

It takes up to 18 months to see the maximal improvement of your scar.  It is normal to have some puckering at the end of the incision and along the incision where the deep (dermal) sutures are placed.  As the sutures dissolve then this puckering usually improves.  Massaging the incision a couple of times per day can help with speeding up the process.  It takes about 3-4 months for most dissolvable (deep) sutures to dissolve by the process of hydrolysis.  If you have any major concerns, then you should contact your surgeon, but the puckering will improve with time.

Tracy Kayan, MD · Answer

Hi - thanks for your question. Any post-surgical incision can have puckering, and especially in the arm where the skin is thinner, this can readily happen. Fortunately the puckering rarely persists after 4-6 weeks, sometimes a little longer. Check with your surgeon regarding when he/she recommends you start scar massage, as this can help. Also, sometimes the puckering is due to the sutures, and these are often absorbable, so you'll notice an improvement as the sutures dissolve.

J. Brad Turner, MD · Answer

It is not uncommon to have this in the early stage of healing.  Time and scar massage will help.  Follow closely with your surgeon leading up to your departure.  Best of luck

I had upper arm surgery 3 weeks ago and it is puckered below the wound on the R arm. Can time help?

Answers (8)

Answer: Puckering around the incision after brachioplasty

Answer: Puckering around the incision after brachioplasty

Answer: Puckering

Answer: Puckering

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Everything you need to know about Arm Lift

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I had upper arm surgery 3 weeks ago and it is puckered below the wound on the R arm. Can time help?

Answers (8)

Answer: Puckering around the incision after brachioplasty

Answer: Puckering around the incision after brachioplasty

Answer: Puckering

Answer: Puckering

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Arm Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.