Over time, after weight loss or a decrease in physical activity, there may be excess fat and skin on the thighs or arms. When there is excess fat with minimal to moderate excess skin, liposuction with Renuvion ® can be considered. The latter, still called “J plasma”, allows to induce skin retraction, without additional scars to those made for liposuction, thanks to Argon plasma. When there is significant associated excess skin, the best indication for correction is a surgical arm or thigh lift.
Technique:
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The first step of the procedure consists of liposuction using the MicroAir® cannula and the Renuvion® device, which promotes skin retraction. Then, Dr. Lucas creates a straight or T-shaped scar on the inner arms or thighs and removes the excess skin. Dr. Lucas uses biological surgical glue for the scar, so that the patient can take a shower as early as the 2nd day after the procedure. Liposuction of the hips and flanks can be combined with this procedure to optimize the result.
Results :
Time frame for final results:
2 weeks to see a significant result, 3 months to see the final result
Longevity of results:
Definitive, but will evolve with weight changes, pregnancies and time.
Before surgery:
Stop smoking 1 month before surgery (risk of wound dehiscence important if active smoking)
Do not take Aspirin 10 days before surgery, inform Dr. Lucas of any anticoagulant medication (Sintrom, Coumadin, Eliquis, etc..) to organize their discontinuation or replacement.
Take Arnica capsules 5 times a day for 5 days before surgery to prevent hematoma.
You can go and get your compression girdle, which will be put in place 2 days after the operation.
Shower with the Hibiscrub soap provided on the prescription 48 hours before.
On the day of the procedure, you must fast 6 hours before (do not drink, eat or smoke).
Intervention :
Duration of procedure: 90 minutes
Anesthesia: general
Location: operating room
Ambulatory: no hospitalization, no redons
After surgery:
Post-operative pain: 1/10 to 3/10, with appropriate analgesia. Dr. Lucas performs an infiltration during the operation with long-acting anesthetics, in order to cover the 3 postoperative days.
Hospitalization: usually outpatient, but 1 postoperative night can be arranged after the procedure for comfort.
Social eviction: 4-7 days with discomfort. Shower possible from the 2nd day thanks to the use by Dr Lucas of biological surgical glue replacing the dressings.
Return to work: 7-10 days
Resumption of sports: 6-8 weeks
Instructions:
Arnica capsules 5 capsules 5 times a day for 5 days after surgery to prevent hematoma.
Stop smoking permanently to minimize complications.
Control Dr Lucas D2, D7, 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year
During the first 48 hours: no rapid effort, rest, do not get up too quickly, do everything slowly so as not to make any sudden movements (efforts may increase the tension and open the small vessels and thus cause a hematoma).
Do not make large movements (spread your arms and thighs) for 3 weeks.
During 48, you will have a compression bandage and during the control at 2 days, will be put in place the compression that you will bring the day of the consultation.
Girdle 2 weeks day and night, 4 weeks during the day.
Shower from the 2nd day: pass water over the scar without rubbing, dab with a clean cloth without rubbing. It is very important to avoid maceration, especially on the thighs, at the risk of poor healing and dehiscence of the wound.
Between the 2nd day and 7th day, disinfect the wound once a day with Merfen spray or another disinfectant spray.
From the 15th day, gently rub glue on the scar which will go away over several days without tearing it off
Bath from 3 weeks depending on the evolution of the scar at 3 weeks.
Massage scar with Gorgonium 2 times 5 minutes per day for 3 months after the shower, from the 15th day.
Strataderm silicone once a day for 3 months, starting on the 15th day.
Sun protection with an index higher than 50 during the 6 months following the surgery.
Complications
– Hematoma: A hematoma can occur especially during the first 48 hours. If it is significant, it is necessary to intervene and evacuate it. During the first few days, you should rest and not make any sudden movements in order to reduce the risk of hematoma.
– Seroma: there may be an effusion of lymph in the area of the detachment, which often resolves spontaneously. Sometimes, lymphatic drainage sessions are prescribed to accelerate its disappearance and sometimes it is necessary to puncture it in consultation. In exceptional cases, it is necessary to intervene again.
– Localized skin necrosis, necrosis of the umbilicus: the risk of this is greatly increased by tobacco intoxication.
– Infection: fortunately rare, infection may require antibiotic treatment.
– Decreased sensitivity in the arms or thighs: often transient, full recovery is usually achieved after a few months.
– Abnormal, hypertrophic or even keloid scars: patients with dark skin, at risk of abnormal scars, must pay particular attention to scar care with Gorgonium and Strataderm, follow-up remains essential.
– Scar dehiscence and delayed healing (favored by smoking): sometimes there are small scar openings of a few millimeters. The follow-up by Dr. Lucas of the scar is essential. These dehiscences are very frequent after these 2 procedures, but most often they heal with local care without the need for reoperation.
– Enlargement of scars: since the scars are located in hypermobile sites, in constant movement, they almost systematically enlarge in the months following the operation. Follow-up is essential and local care with Gorgonium and Strataderm must be performed for 3 months.
