Brachioplasty/Breast Aug Post-Op Questions

I'm 11 days out from my brachioplasty and breast reconstruction/aug/lift.  All went well and I'm back to work today.  I'll try and post pics soon, but I have some questions I'm hoping those who've done this can help me with: 

- Breasts -- my breasts are still hard and swollen and are much bigger than I had hoped they'd be.  How long until the swelling subsides, they soften up, and when that happens do they shrink in size (fingers crossed that someone here says yes!). 

- Arms -- How long did you experience swelling?  My arms tend to swell a lot towards the end of the day/evening to the point where they hurt a lot all the way to my forearms.  I'm elevating them at night when I sleep and as much as I can during the day.

- What type of compression garment did you use for your arms and how long did you wear it?  My doc uses Ace bandage wraps and has instructed me to wear for 2-3 weeks,  This is fine but the bandages are a pain and I'm wondering if a real compression garment might help reduce my swelling. 

- When did  you start using scar reduction silicon stips or cream? 

Michelle

 

I haven't had my breasts done yet but my arms still swell some and it's been 5 months. They seem to swell more when I'm really active. I wore the dreaded ace bandages too and they were a pain. The nurse suggested that I buy a pair of mens long tube socks and cut the toe part out and slide it over my arms for compression but I didn't ever try it. A friend of mine used the compression socks that they put on us in the hospital for her arms. After 2 weeks the surgeon said I could take the ace bandages off and I did. Good luck with everything. Debi

Debi,

Were you fully healed at two weeks when you stopped wearing the ACE bandages?   I'm at two weeks tomorrow, and though my incisions are looking good, I'm not sure they are fully healed. 

Also, the tube sock idea is a good one, especially for at night since that seems more comfortable than the bandages or compression garment.

Michelle

Hi Michelle
I used ACE bandages for 3 weeks then my surgeon put me in the sleeves which I wear every night .  I am 6 weeks out and i am to wear these sleeves for a mon of 8 weeks but for 12 iof i can stand it and I will .   The longer you wear them the better the results and swelling he said .  I listen to him as this is the 3rd prodedure with him and he hasnt been wrong yet.
Get the ones that go below the elbow , mid forarm as the short ones dont work well or didnt for me .
Company that is the best in my opinion is www.Marenagroup.com  or toll free 888 462 7362
F5 is the number i think .
Anyway , good luck girl .
Shirley

Thanks, Shirley.  Wow... 12 weeks!  It's funny how doctors are so different in their post-op recommendations.  Mine instructed me to wear the ACE bandages for 2-3 weeks and that was it.  But, it seems wearing compression for a longer period post-op helps with the healing/scarring, so I might just do that.  Can only help, I suppose.

Michelle

My arms continued to swell for about 2 months. They would swell mostly at night after a long day of use. I wore the garment 24/7 (mostly) for 6 weeks and then for another several months when I exercised and at night.

My surgeon uses the Design Veronique garments for breast and arms. I like them alot becuase they really helped to keep the swelling down. If I decided I wanted a break it never failed that my arms would swell more without the garments.



 

This is what I wore too.  For 6 weeks.   I went to Dr. Sauceda also.  He is so nice. 

I'm going back for a face lift and a revision of my right armpit (from a hematoma) in January.

Thanks for the recommendation, Antonette!  I actually bought this garmet online but haven't been able to use it yet.  It's stiff and tight and I can't figure out a way to get it on without damaging my stiches.  I'll keep trying! : )

Michelle

It was a little tight on me too. I found a container around the house that was a little larger than my arms and slid the container in the arms of the garment. It helped to stretch it out a little so I was able to put it on. I found the easiest way to put it on was to pull the garment on one arm up to the elbow and then pull the garment down slightly toward the floor as you pull back toward the armpit. It keeps the garment away from the incisions as you are pulling it on. I hope it helps.

  

I started with that one , was way to uncomfortable so went to the sleeves only ,,,loved them , well love as I am still wearing at night now .