Brachioplasty recovery will take time, and you will need to be patient throughout the process. Still, the best way to get through your arm lift recovery time without issue is to follow your surgeon’s instructions, get plenty of rest, and try not to do too much.
As you prepare for your arm lift before and after, be sure you are asking plenty of questions along the way. The more you know about the entire procedure and experience, the better. Here are some questions, specifically related to arm lift recovery, which you may want to consider asking your surgeon about prior to your procedure.
What can I expect immediately after brachioplasty surgery?
Your arms will be bandaged and wrapped right after arm lift surgery, and this is how you will go home once you are discharged. Be prepared to keep your arms elevated and wear your compression garment on each upper arm for several weeks. Follow your surgeon’s instructions closely as you want to ensure a smooth healing process.
An arm lift procedure is an outpatient procedure, and you’ll need someone to drive you home after surgery. You cannot drive after anesthesia, and you will not be able to use your arms for a while.
Rest when you get home, and take your pain medication as directed. Swelling and bruising are to be expected, and you will have some soreness during the initial period of the arm surgery recovery process.
When will I see the final results of my brachioplasty?
Final results after arm lift surgery may not be achieved for up to six months or even a year.
When can I go back to normal after brachioplasty surgery?
Because we use our arms so much in everyday life, full recovery from brachioplasty surgery can take quite a while — up to six months or a year. Plus, you’ll need to wait until your arms are fully healed after surgery to go back to even small daily activities. This may take two to four weeks or more.
Most people don’t realize how much they use their arms. Even when you’re bending down, twisting to the side, sitting, or doing something small with your hands, your arms are being engaged. Because you’ll need to leave your arms alone for the duration of your initial recovery period, this means that you won’t be able to do very much, and it can be difficult for some patients.
Still, the outcome — if you do hold off on too much arm and trunk movement during your recovery — will be far superior. People who end up doing too much before they are fully recovered from their procedure may end up sabotaging their results.
How can I minimize arm lift scarring?
If you look at arm lift before and after photos, you’ll see that a brachioplasty scar can be quite noticeable because it is exposed on the inner arm. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take on your recovery journey to reduce scar appearance.
Silicone gels, self-massage, and even arm scar tattoos can help camouflage arm lift scars. As long as incisions are allowed to heal properly, you’ll also notice your scars fade and blend in with your surrounding skin over time.
How can I manage pain and discomfort during recovery?
Removing a significant amount of excess skin and fat from the upper arms is certainly going to cause some discomfort during the healing process after upper arm lift surgery. Fortunately, your prescribed pain medication and general rest will improve your comfort.
How do I reduce swelling and bruising after brachioplasty?
Your compression garments will help retract your remaining arm skin after plastic surgery. They will also aid in reducing swelling and bruising on the upper arms. Drinking water can also help. This is true after any plastic surgery procedure.
How do I sleep comfortably during brachioplasty recovery?
Sleep on your back with your upper body slightly elevated. Be sure to gently wedge your arms into a relaxed neutral position, ideally at your sides. You don’t want to roll on them or fold them in an odd way as this may cause issues for your surgical outcome.
How soon can I return to work after brachioplasty?
Some patients may be able to return to work within one week after surgery if their surgery was not too extensive. For various reasons, other patients may need to wait longer — sometimes up to two weeks to return to a desk job. If you have a physically-demanding job, you may need to wait even longer than that.
Are there any specific dietary recommendations for brachioplasty recovery?
You should avoid eating too much sodium after surgery. Also, avoid alcohol and smoking. Other than that, focusing on a well-balanced diet full of lean meats, healthy fats and oils, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains is recommended. Drink plenty of water each day.
What activities should I avoid during brachioplasty recovery?
Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise after arm lift surgery. Removing a significant amount of loose skin and excess fat from the arms causes a lot of trauma to your body. Too much movement and exertion can complicate the healing process.
Schedule a Consultation Appointment Today
Recovery after any type of surgical procedure can be challenging. The good news is, you will continue to slowly but steadily improve in your brachioplasty recovery day by day. Just be sure to follow all of your post operative care guidelines and work hard to maintain a positive attitude, which can also go a long way in promoting a successful recovery.
For more advice and tips for brachioplasty recovery and surgery in general, please call us today and schedule a consultation appointment with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ashley Steinberg. We look forward to hearing from you.
