Is there a way to correct my arms after smartlipo? (Photo)

Question

The surgeon removed too much fat, causing depressions, leaving my arms uneven. Stretching one arm backwards tightens the skin, forming lines. A recent revision surgery didn't improve my arms at all; only a small amount of fat was removed from the back. He suggested another correction, but I'm consulting other opinions. How much fat is needed for correction & can the skin be loosened from muscles for better arm flexibility? See pics

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction with your arm surgery results.
From your description, it sounds like you might benefit from fat grafting or fat transfer, where fat is harvested from one area of your body, processed, and then injected into the areas of depression in your arms. This can help to smooth out unevenness and fill in the depressions. The amount of fat needed for the correction varies greatly from patient to patient and depends on the extent of the depressions and the desired outcome.
As for loosening skin from the muscles for better arm flexibility, it's important to note that skin and underlying tissues are naturally connected, and this connection is important for normal function and sensation. Any surgical intervention to alter this could potentially lead to complications and is typically not recommended.
In terms of the lines that form when you stretch your arm backwards, this could be due to excess skin or a lack of elasticity in the skin, which might benefit from skin-tightening treatments or a brachioplasty (arm lift) depending on the severity.
However, these are only general suggestions. Your case should be evaluated by a board-certified plastic surgeon who can examine your arms in person, understand your goals, and provide a personalized treatment plan. They can discuss the risks, benefits, and alternatives to each option to help you make an informed decision.
Remember, revision surgeries can be more complex than initial procedures due to changes in anatomy and the presence of scar tissue, so it's critical to choose a surgeon with experience in revision procedures. It's also a good idea to seek a second or even third opinion before proceeding with further surgery.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

Over suction often leads to contour irregularities.  these are very difficult to treat.  For the deeper depressions fat grafting would help.  Continue massage to loosen the skin and stretching for ROM.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Unfortunately, your provider is grossly lacking in Liposuction skill.
The disfigurement is most likely permanent, and will be very difficult to correct.
The revision should probably not have been done with the same provider.
Your provider has already proven they don’t know how to do this procedure.
Unfortunately, delivering consistent quality, Liposuction results is more difficult than most people realize.
The number of plastic surgeons have truly mastered this procedure are in a small minority.
Liposuction results should be considered permanent and irreversible.
Correcting poorly Dipple section is very difficult.
Typically attempts at restoring a normal contour is done using a combination of revision Liposuction With fat transfer.
The ability to restore your contour to normal becomes more difficult if the first procedure was done in an aggressive manner.
It’s probably not possible to give you normal looking arms, but some improvements are usually possible.
Recognize that any attempt at revision can also make things worse if you’re not in the hands of the right provider.
 Considering how much variation there is in Liposuction skills among plastic surgeons and how plastic surgeons have actually mastered this procedure finding someone who is good enough to do revision work may be challenging.
Often to get any significant improvement requires multiple procedures.
This is often the case when fat transfer is involved because the areas That were over treated are now devoid of sufficient host tissue to support any significant amount of grafted fat.
It suggest patient consider having multiple in person consultations before scheduling Liposuction.
During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before, and after pictures of previous patients, who had similar body characteristics to your own.
 And experience provider should have no difficulty showing you the before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients.
Being shown a handful of pre-selected images, representing only the best results of a providers career is insufficient to get a clear understanding of what average results look like in the hands of each provider, what your results are likely to look like or how many of these procedures they’ve actually done.
 Highly experienced provider should in reality have access to 100 or preferably thousands of before, and after pictures to choose from.
Continue having consultations until you feel very comfortable. You found the right provider.
Being born certified, and plastic surgery does not mean somebody is mastered anyone single procedure especially not Liposuction.
 Upper extremity Liposuction is technically more difficult than some other anatomic areas.
The best you can probably do at this point is trying to negotiate to get some of your money back.
I’m sorry you find yourself in this situation.
I Encourage anyone considering having Liposuction to please be careful when choosing your providers.
 Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Is there a way to correct my arms after smartlipo? (Photo)

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Is there a way to correct my arms after smartlipo? (Photo)

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