I am 3 months post-op arm lift... I have some "roping" on my scars, one arm has a 2 inch spot, the other arm is minimal. At my post-op visit last week the surgeon did a few steroid injections in both and suggested a different massage technique. Next follow up is at 6 weeks where she may do more injections. I have been massaging the scars twice a day, I put 100% silicone gel on them twice a day or use the 100% silicone scar strips. Over the past month I started to increase the massage to a few times a day. The new technique she suggested is best done by another person so my BF has been helping me out on the nights he is home.
Anybody experience this and were able to smooth out the scar? I am not wanting to spend more $ and have to get laser treatments on them, so any advise is welcome. Also, the arm with the 2 inch spot pulls/is uncomfortable... sometimes it is tighter than other times.

Sorry I can't be of any help. My surgery is in December and I am worried about the arm scars. I hope you get the answers you are looking for and come back to share with the rest of us.

I use the strips and the gel and I am planning on laser treatments too. I have a hard time keeping the strips on. Man the gel is expensive. 

I am only 6 weeks out right now. What is the new technique?

The strips don't stay on very well.. just too active an area. I found they sell specific ones for the arms but they are $60 a pop. The gel is pricey and doesn't last very long because the tubes are so small... just a lot of area to cover. At least you only have to put a thin layer. I would say I've spent a good $150 on scar creams/strips so far, that's a rough guess. I have a feeling I will end up needing laser as well... its been almost two weeks since the steroid injection and new scar massaging and I do not notice much difference.

The new technique is "pulling" the scar... you need two fingers so ideally somebody else does it for you... you start with the two fingers together and spread them apart "stretching" the scar. The other techniques she has me doing is rubbing in small circles and then pushing down and running the length of the scar with two fingers.

My arm lift is scheduled for the 9th of December. If anyone has any advice, I would love to hear what has worked! 

How long did you wear compression sleeves?

Thanks!

My Dr wanted them worn 3 weeks. I had barely any swelling so at the 2 week mark she said I no longer had to wear them. They were torture, mind you I also had a BA/BL in addition to the arms so I had compression bra/arm combo... I wanted to burn that thing after!! 

The only thing I can say, its not really advise, but recovery has been a lot of work... way more than I had ever realized. Putting on scar cream twice a day, massaging the scars 2-3 times a day, keeping them out of the sun, putting sunscreen on them and keeping sunscreen with me to reapply during the day. I previously had a TT and it was nothing like this for sure!!! Still worth it of course, just really wasn't fully aware of how much time I would be investing and how my morning routine was going to become longer :-) 

Thanks for the information! :) I am not a morning person, so I will definitely need to adjust!

Out of curiosity, how long did you wear your compression garment for your TT? I had my TT done in August. 

Its been a while but I think it was 6-8 weeks is what was recommended. I actually liked wearing mine.. it made me feel more supported and felt better with it on than off. Dr said I would wear it as long as I felt I needed.

On the compression garment, I ended up cutting the arms off and putting them on separately.  Trying to get the sleeves in place along with the vest for the breast lift was just too much pulling.  The sleeves by themselves went on pretty easily and stayed up all by themselves.

Rope scars right here...just had an arm lift 2 weeks ago.  There really is no scientific data to prove that massaging or silicone is helpful for scar management.  It really comes down to genetics.  And staying out of the sun of course!  Sun exposure will change the color of the scar.  I wouldn't obsess about your scars.  Go ahead and massage them but save your money on the silicone.  I am one of the fortunate few that heal really well.  But I did still massage my scar lines with regular old moisturizer.