Arm Lift Questions
I've always been told that you need to have someone there for the first 24 hours after surgery. After that if you are just doing your arms you should be ok to be alone. Just make sure that everything you may need is on a counter top or waist level. You won't want to reach too high.
I only had an ace wrap that went from armpit to elbow and was allowed to take that off after 2 days (so total of 4 - 2 days in the hospital). You should be able to bend your elbows.
Sonya
I only had an ace wrap that went from armpit to elbow and was allowed to take that off after 2 days (so total of 4 - 2 days in the hospital). You should be able to bend your elbows.
Sonya
Hey auntie --
I live alone, too, and had brachioplasty July 10. I stayed in the hospital one night, unexpectedly, because they couldn't get me on my feet; I kept feeling like I was going to pass out. The next day I felt much better, went on home, and I was fine ... I think (I've had two other surgeries since then, and they all kind of run together, HA!). A friend did stay over the first night, just to be on the safe side, but I was perfectly fine and never had to call her.
I had put everything out on countertops (dishes, etc) so I wouldn't have to reach up or bend over. I had plenty of zappable food in the frig and lots of things like protein shakes and snack bars that took no work at all, and I ate on that stuff for a week. I had bought some loose sleeveless (it was summer) pop-over-the-head shirts and wore my stretchy pull-on pants, so no struggles with clothing. Actually, I think the first day I just kept on the hospital gown I came home in and popped on some slacks underneath. Just wearing a loose gown or robe would have been fine, too. I had thought that a button-up-the-front shirt would work, but I couldn't maneuver myself in the sleeves; the loose over the head things were easier. I had bought some disposable wipey things for quick body clean-up -- no showers for a while -- and figured out a way to wash my hair very easily: my hair is very short, so I wet my head down with a wet washcloth, put a dab of shampoo on and rubbed it around, then rinse rinse rinsed with the same washcloth. Just kept going over my head until the shampoo was out. It wasn't great, but at least my hair didn't stink :-)
One of the things that helped at night was I had the bed all ready and turned down before I left for the hospital with a satin bottom sheet for easy slide in and out, a bed-wedge with my pillow on it for keeping my head a little elevated (I had some eyelid surgery at the same time), and two bolster pillows wrapped in towels (in case I leaked!) to elevate my arms sort of like chair arms at my sides. It worked great!
My surgeon swears by big ol' ace bandages rather than those compression garments, so my arms were wrapped from armpit to just below the elbow, but I could still bend my elbows enough to manage. I wasn't to fool with the bandages until the surgeon saw me about five days post-op. There was a drain coming out of each elbow, and I stuck them in my pants pockets during the day! They came out in less than a week. After the drains came out, I was able to clean up a little better and change the ace bandages. I ended up with about four different sets of them for washing and wearing. I liked the ones with the velcro at the ends best. Those darn hook fasteners are a pain. I was to keep my arms wrapped for a month. After that I was fine.
The scars are pretty serious, I won't lie to you ... but then I'm 56 with not-so-great skin elasticity any more. Here at three months out they are looking MUCH better, but they are still ropey and a little red. I massage vitamin e cream in them every day, and I think that helps. They are a funny feeling of a little tender and numb-ish, but nothing terribly problematic.
The bottom line is this -- I would not take back those awful bat-wings for all the tea in China. Every bit of struggle of those first few days was worth it a thousand times over! Best wishes on your journey. You will do just great! Let me know how it all comes out :-) --Dorothy
I live alone, too, and had brachioplasty July 10. I stayed in the hospital one night, unexpectedly, because they couldn't get me on my feet; I kept feeling like I was going to pass out. The next day I felt much better, went on home, and I was fine ... I think (I've had two other surgeries since then, and they all kind of run together, HA!). A friend did stay over the first night, just to be on the safe side, but I was perfectly fine and never had to call her.
I had put everything out on countertops (dishes, etc) so I wouldn't have to reach up or bend over. I had plenty of zappable food in the frig and lots of things like protein shakes and snack bars that took no work at all, and I ate on that stuff for a week. I had bought some loose sleeveless (it was summer) pop-over-the-head shirts and wore my stretchy pull-on pants, so no struggles with clothing. Actually, I think the first day I just kept on the hospital gown I came home in and popped on some slacks underneath. Just wearing a loose gown or robe would have been fine, too. I had thought that a button-up-the-front shirt would work, but I couldn't maneuver myself in the sleeves; the loose over the head things were easier. I had bought some disposable wipey things for quick body clean-up -- no showers for a while -- and figured out a way to wash my hair very easily: my hair is very short, so I wet my head down with a wet washcloth, put a dab of shampoo on and rubbed it around, then rinse rinse rinsed with the same washcloth. Just kept going over my head until the shampoo was out. It wasn't great, but at least my hair didn't stink :-)
One of the things that helped at night was I had the bed all ready and turned down before I left for the hospital with a satin bottom sheet for easy slide in and out, a bed-wedge with my pillow on it for keeping my head a little elevated (I had some eyelid surgery at the same time), and two bolster pillows wrapped in towels (in case I leaked!) to elevate my arms sort of like chair arms at my sides. It worked great!
My surgeon swears by big ol' ace bandages rather than those compression garments, so my arms were wrapped from armpit to just below the elbow, but I could still bend my elbows enough to manage. I wasn't to fool with the bandages until the surgeon saw me about five days post-op. There was a drain coming out of each elbow, and I stuck them in my pants pockets during the day! They came out in less than a week. After the drains came out, I was able to clean up a little better and change the ace bandages. I ended up with about four different sets of them for washing and wearing. I liked the ones with the velcro at the ends best. Those darn hook fasteners are a pain. I was to keep my arms wrapped for a month. After that I was fine.
The scars are pretty serious, I won't lie to you ... but then I'm 56 with not-so-great skin elasticity any more. Here at three months out they are looking MUCH better, but they are still ropey and a little red. I massage vitamin e cream in them every day, and I think that helps. They are a funny feeling of a little tender and numb-ish, but nothing terribly problematic.
The bottom line is this -- I would not take back those awful bat-wings for all the tea in China. Every bit of struggle of those first few days was worth it a thousand times over! Best wishes on your journey. You will do just great! Let me know how it all comes out :-) --Dorothy
Highest weight: 292 Pre-op weight: 265 Goal met: 150 Six years out: 185 and trying to lose again!
O. Kufi
on 10/15/09 12:44 pm, edited 10/15/09 12:44 pm
on 10/15/09 12:44 pm, edited 10/15/09 12:44 pm
I had help the first 3-4 days but after that I did for myself. Does it help to have someone help me with things I did not want to do absolutley but could I get my own tea, take my shower, get dressed, get up and down, yes. I believe I managed quite well.
But I would definitley say if you can have help by all means yes and definitely the firat 3-4 days or longer if available.
The key for me is just slow and methodical movements.
But I would definitley say if you can have help by all means yes and definitely the firat 3-4 days or longer if available.
The key for me is just slow and methodical movements.
We love because God first loved us (1John 4:19)
I had NO problems with the arm lift. I had a lower face lift at the same time & no problems there either.
I was worried about the arm lift. I REALLY was! I had read where some arm lift patients had severely limited movement & lots of pain. Some people mentioned they couldn't lift a glass to drink, wipe themselves, or get out of bed without help. Although my husband was here with me, I didn't have to ask for help with anything. The bandages went from my arm pits alittle past my elbows. But they were gauze, tape & an ace bandage & not so tight as I couldn't move my arms. Raising my arms up was alittle painful but elbow movement as OK.
I had my bed arranged with LOTS & lots of pillows..some propping up my head & shoulders (for the face lift) and some at my sides to keep my arms elevated & keep me on my back. with my arms at my side.
If you have the option of having someone stay with you (at least the first day or two) I'd follow the advice of others & do so just incase you do have real limited movement. Maybe I was just lucky.
PamT
I was worried about the arm lift. I REALLY was! I had read where some arm lift patients had severely limited movement & lots of pain. Some people mentioned they couldn't lift a glass to drink, wipe themselves, or get out of bed without help. Although my husband was here with me, I didn't have to ask for help with anything. The bandages went from my arm pits alittle past my elbows. But they were gauze, tape & an ace bandage & not so tight as I couldn't move my arms. Raising my arms up was alittle painful but elbow movement as OK.
I had my bed arranged with LOTS & lots of pillows..some propping up my head & shoulders (for the face lift) and some at my sides to keep my arms elevated & keep me on my back. with my arms at my side.
If you have the option of having someone stay with you (at least the first day or two) I'd follow the advice of others & do so just incase you do have real limited movement. Maybe I was just lucky.
PamT
I had VERY minimal pain from the arm lift. My pain (or most discomfort) was from the lower face lift (I had at the same time) and a sore throat I got from the anesthesia tube. The stitching behind my ears made the velcro wrap so uncomfortable and laying my head on the pillow very difficult. My mind & concentration was so much on my ears and my sore throat, I barely paid any attention to my arms.
I was sent home with vicodin & I believe I only took maybe about 3 of them. Again, mostly cause of my sore throat & my ears hurt. But even with that pain,,if I took the velcro wrap off & wasn't trying to turn my head on the pillows, my ears were OK too.
PamT
I was sent home with vicodin & I believe I only took maybe about 3 of them. Again, mostly cause of my sore throat & my ears hurt. But even with that pain,,if I took the velcro wrap off & wasn't trying to turn my head on the pillows, my ears were OK too.
PamT
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