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.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello colombari in Pittsburgh, PA, Thank you for your question regarding the fact that you had upper arm surgery 3 weeks ago and it is puckered below the wound on the R arm and can time help? This is difficult to answer without pictures or a physical examination. However, in general, skin puckering or wrinkling around an arm lift/reduction/brachioplasty incision will take time to settle. Compression garments and lymphatic massage can help. Most plastic surgeons would suggest arm compression garments for at least 6 weeks after your arm lift. However, if you have any concerns, please contact your plastic surgeon right away. You are not "bothering" them. It is best to get "problems" addressed early rather than risk them getting worse. Good luck. I hope I have answered your question regarding the fact that you had upper arm surgery 3 weeks ago and it is puckered below the wound on the right arm and can time help. Since an arm lift can be a challenging surgery, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of lifts. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 150 arm-lift procedures. Make certain they have the before-and-after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before-and-after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS, FASMBS, FASBPS (Plastic Surgeon, President of  the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery,  and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

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

Johnny T. Chang, MD · Answer

This soon after surgery, it is always a good idea to check in with your surgeon before a long trip, especially out of the country and away from normal access to health care. This could be an actual visit with your surgeon, or even simply a quick phone call for your surgeon to hear about your progress, make sure there is nothing concerning, and answer your questions. You should never feel like you are bothering your surgeon when you have questions or concerns; this is true any time, but especially this early and before a trip.As far as puckering and whether time will help -- for body procedures like an arm lift, I generally tell my patients to give it at least 3 to 6 months before evaluating results and thinking about revisions. Even then, scars may continue to mature as long as a year or more. Often, time does help as your body heals. But even in situations where time does not or will not help, it is generally a good idea to wait 3 to 6 months before considering any revisions.Specifically regarding puckering -- it is difficult to tell without a photo what kind of puckering you are referring to. However, there are certainly some forms of puckering that is "normal" at 3 weeks and that should resolve. And puckering that is not normal and doesn't resolve is often relatively easy to revise at a later time.

James Fernau, MD, FACS - Account Suspended · Answer

Since it has only been three weeks after your arm surgery observation and treatment of the scar with silicone strips and pressure therapy will be your best friend.  Over 90% of puckering alleviates with observation. In my practice, we also perform laser resurfacing to help eradicate scars. We perform this at no additional charge. Alternatively, we are very excited to perform no incision arm lift surgery using SmartLipo

Ivo Gwanmesia, FRCS(Plast) - Account Suspended · Answer

It is still early days. The puckering should improve with time. Keep on the massage therapy and if you have anarm garment that should come in handy too.

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

Answers (9)

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