Recovery from arms!

Saw my PS today...6 week TT follow up....starting to talk about doing the arms....need experience wisdom?

How long were you off work?
What was recovery like?
What recommendations would you make from your experience?
How self sufficient are you following surgery?
What restrictions and for how long?
Compression garment?

Thanks for sharing your journey.....................

 I can answer these......

How long were you off work? I am a teacher and was off from July 23 to August 18. I felt this was pushing it. I had a super difficult recover with my arms. 

What was recovery like? The first day, my husband had to wipe me. :-( I couldn't pop a pill, reach my mouth, scratch my forehead. The second night, I could start to move my arms more. I think this might depend where your scar is. Mine are from elbow, all the way down to bra line. I had the extra skin under my arms removed. 

What recommendations would you make from your experience? I would recommend lose clothes and lots of rest. 

How self sufficient are you following surgery? The first 4-5 days were awful! As I got further out, it got better. Remember, some people had no pain with this surgery. I am not sure why I had so much!

What restrictions and for how long? I didn't drive for a week---couldn't reach high for about 4 weeks. I opened my wound in some places. 

Compression garment? Not the first time, but this time, yes. I am having a garment this time...not sure why this time and not last. Might be trying something different. 

Hope this helps!

about 2 weeks cause I work with my hands /arms.Recovery from this was the easiest out of all of my surgeries, the firstda y it was hard with the ace bandages but then the next day I went to see the PS and he removed the bandages and put on a Marena comprssion garment it was wonderful, no lifting for several weeks
good luck
Susan

I just wanted to give a quick congrats before my nap.  I am loving my arms even tho I am only 7 days out.  I will write more for you as I go along.  Put some pictures up finally.  Jolyn

I had my thighs done and an anchor cut revision with my arms so my recovery was more limiting.  I took 4 weeks off but could have gone back after 3 had I not gotten sick.  If it were just my arms I guess I might have been able to do it in 2.  It's just hard to tell since my surgery was a lot longer and I'm sure affected my energy level moreso than just doing one.

The arms were sore more in my armpit area more than anywhere else.  The recovery really wasn't bad.

I needed help washing my hair and putting on my ace bandages.  I also needed help adjusting my pillows because I couldn't reach behind my head at first to move them or fluff them.  Other than that, I was pretty self sufficient.

I had weight restrictions for the first 6 weeks but I still was careful after that and didn't lift anything too heavy anyway.

I wore ace bandage around my arms for the first week or so and then moved into my compression garments.  The ones I got from the hospital were too small so I ordered some from marenagroup.com. They were great.

I think it depends on what all you are having done.  I only had my arms done.  Surgery was on Friday and I went back to work on Tuesday.  I do desk/computer/manager work.  I drove on Monday to my follow up and My arms were not real flexible but I just took it easy.  I am 5 weeks today and they are still numb in places and sometimes sore around the elbows.  there is still some swelling around the elbows caused by my work but all in all, fairly easy.  Each day is better and the flexibility is easier each day.

I had no drains and no garments. PS does't believe in them.  I had trouble pulling up pants the first 24 to 48 hours but could feed myself and clean my own butt.  Good luck

There are pictures on my profile of the stuff I had done if you add me as a friend you can see.  My arms were a cake walk for me, I had the surgery on Wednesday and went back to work on Sunday for a partial day and then worked part time for a few days afterwards then back to full time.  I liked my compression sleeves wore them for a long time, they made my arms feel safe.  I got a small hole under one arm pit and it leaked for a day or so, but that was it, otherwise a very easy surgery, no drains, no swelling.  I wish they had tightened them more as they are still kindanfat looking after 2 years but I can wear sleeveless tops and feel okay.  The scars are ugly, but they have faded out to white pretty well.  I have seen much nicer better places scars then mine, Susan S comes to mind, her arms look great.  I didn't need help at all after this surgery and I don't recall any real restrictions, maybe there was a lifting one but I don't remember.  I was lugging a 50lb suitcase through the airport a month after my surgery with no problem.

Good Luck