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POSTED UNDER Arm Lift Reviews

Arm Lift - Left with Ugly Scars

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Arm Lift - Left with Ugly Scars

I was so excited to have my surgery with Dr. Mulholland. I had lost weight and my arms had very sagging skin. The procedure went well but the scars that were left were awful. Not to worry I was told they would be lasered until they were white.
2 years later I had a scar revision surgery. Guess what...I still have hideous scars. Will the third time be the charm? We will never know because my discussions went from we will laser until they are white to It am fighting your genetics’ and ‘maybe you should find someone closer to you to get your laser treatments’. My how the tune changed once I paid over $10,000 with multiple trips to Toronto. I am not rich, this was a huge investment for me and my family. I am saddened by the outcome and how I was treated when things did not go as I was told they would. The staff at Spa Medica have been excellent but I am very disappointed in the outcome of my surgery and they way Dr. Mulholland spoke to me at my last appointment. All I want is what I was told would happen. Arm reduction and white scars. My journey started in March 2016...2nd surgery January 2018. Scars are still pink, thick and ugly.

Philosophical554860's provider

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired)

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired)

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Philosophical554860 rating for Dr. Mulholland:

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Replies (5)

July 7, 2020
I can appreciate your disappointment. I’ve been struggling for a few years over this procedure. I had a tummy tuck which resulted in lovely scars, but your arms are out there for everyone to see and I just wouldn’t want to have to explain.
I don’t know if this is a possibility, BUT maybe they could be tattooed over? I have a scar on my face that I’m investigating this for.... mine is wide/visible, but not pink.... you might have to wait for it to fade a bit, but they might be able to blend it to your skin tone after a while.
Hang in there and know YOU think it is worse than anyone else.
July 8, 2020
Thank you for being so kind. I will investigate getting them tattooed.
July 14, 2020
Hello ladies! I'm an esthetician and I highly recommend having Microneedling done on your scars. It's amazing for scar revision! Don't give up
September 2, 2020
Wow so sorry after all of the time and money, you were not able to get the results they promise this is why I am weightlifting so that I can avoid surgery.
September 21, 2020
Weightlifting will increase your muscle mass, but cannot improve excessive amounts of skin. The best you can hope is that it will fill out some of the drop of your skin. Your solution only addresses minor skin sag, and would not be helpful for anyone who needs to consider surgery to fix the problem.
January 26, 2021
Exactly. I’ve been exercising, lifting weights etc, barre, yoga, for most of my life, 35 + years! , my arms are still big and now at menopause, they are sagging.
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September 3, 2020
That's a big investment and to be disappointed I would in time they will fade white I would try some scar gel .
UPDATED FROM Philosophical554860

Arm Pics

After two surgeries and two years of healing...this is what I am left with.Large, thick pink scars and both of my arms. A woman actually told me I looked like Frankenstein. I am broken that this is what I am left with after investing in myself.

Replies (5)

July 5, 2020
I am so sorry. There has to be a dr. that can do scar revision.
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July 5, 2020
Baby girl, you don't look like Frankenstein. You look like a modern woman who had some financial standing and made a bold decision by taking matters into your hands. I admire you for doing the procedure. Please massage your your scars, have you done any "fascia boasting"? How about oils? I hear Holy Basil oil (as pure as you can get it) can heal heal scar tissue. Don't give up. And by the way, I think that the contour from the area above the bra line to your elbow looks amazing/sexy/feminine and just how I want my arms to look like. If others can't get past what I see as moderate skin discoloration, they must be flawless themselves, eh? ;) chin up!
July 8, 2020
Your awesome! Thank you! I will look into alternate therapies.
July 6, 2020
I'm with HealthyGirl-I think her comments were exactly right. I would take that scarring in a heartbeat over my sagging skin. You can wear short sleeves and be proud of your youthful, feminine arms. Anybody who said that looks like Frankenstein must be eaten up with jealousy. I would GLADLY have that scarring in return for that SHAPE of arm.
July 8, 2020
You are all right. I love how my arms look but the scars make me very self conscious. I will continue to work on getting over that and the fact that the doctor did not do what he said he was going to do!
July 6, 2020
I agree with the other 2 ladies! Feel good for about yourself! It is better than before
July 8, 2020
100%...my contour is perfect. But the scars are devastating. I just want what I was told...white scars. Thank you for your kindness.
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July 13, 2020
Sis, my scars look the exact same even after the revision. Keloid injections and microneedling help a ton. I got a half sleeve tattoo on one arm which covers the whole scar. I stopped obsessing over the other scar last year and wear my sleeveless tops and dresses like it's nobody's business. My advice is to work on self love. I was super worried about letting a man see my scars but girl once you are comfortable, it doesn't bother them at all.
July 14, 2020
I agree on both sides -- you should feel good about the contour improvement and investing in yourself, but also agree your doctor doesn't seem to be giving you appropriate follow up. That scar could be revised and be much narrower. You have to be very careful not to stretch the skin or exercise it while it's healing, if your genetics mean you get red scarring and are prone to skin stretching.

Did you use silicone cream or silicone scar strips? You can use them now, they also work on older scars and studies prove can bring a significant improvement. Only a few ingredients actually work real silicone and vitamin C ( NOT onions and NOT vitamin E in some products like Mederma).

Silicone products are easy to get on Amazon:

STRIPS or TAPE BRANDS
"MEPITAC" brand Soft Silicone Tape, 3/4" x 118" (inexpensive but great, I used these)
"SCARAWAY " strips
CREAM bioCorneum plus SPF 30 Advanced Scar Supervision (Size 20g)

You could try Silicone first, and proper laser treatments. Or go with a revision first by another doctor and then silicone. I had this surgery done, did a bunch of research, and I totally know the investment you made, so hope this helps!