Lookin for Info on Brachioplasty

Hello,
I have a Brachioplasty set for October 10th, and I am getting excited to have all this loose skin removed. 

I understand what will happen durning the procedure but would like to hear from those who've had the surgery how the recovery went and what I could possibly expect. I do understand everyone is diferent but would like some idea on:

1. how long a typical recovery last
2. how much time people took off of work, and what is a reasonable amount of time to be off
3. how people coped with having both arms done.

Any and all information would be very appreicated.

Thanks,
Kim

I had my arms done with my TT - and the arms were EASY. I could have been back to work at 2 weeks without trouble, probably earlier.

My incisions were closed and healing well by that time.

Be careful about lifting heavy items or moving too fast/stretching quickly. I developed a small seroma from doing this and then got a pretty bad hypertrophic scar (I tend to this anyway - but the area with the seroma was much worse.).

I had a brachio on July 19th. I was back to work in 2 weeks.

My recovery was super, super easy. I took pain meds until around day 3-4. I started back walking on the TM on day 4...and it's been up since then.

The most cumbersome part is the compressions/taping. I still wear compressions and tape at night. I will be taping my scars until October. I only have to do it for 12 hrs a day. So I normally do it once I get one.

It took about 4 weeks for me to feel like my new arms were 'mine', if that makes sense.

I stopped wearing 24 hr compressions on week 3-4. It took a few days to get used to wearing no compressions. I was sore after a few hrs, I just carried an extra pair with me to throw on if I was feeling sore.

It was super easy!

And I loooooooooooooove my new arms. This morning I had no problem taking off my cardigan and wearing my spaghetti strapped tank while driving to work. I would have never done because of the skin.

I feel 100% better.

Warning: It will highlight your other problem areas. I am already thinking about a tummy tuck for next summer.

Arms were easy for me, too. I felt good enough to go back to work in 10 days, but took 2 weeks off. It was a much easier recovery than my lower body lift.

Laura

I also had Fleur de lis TT at the same time as brachioplasty.  My arm incisions extended through my armpits.  The armpits gave me the most trouble.  There was some separation of incision and it "burned".  Reaching up (I'm short) was an issue.  I had to use a stool to get into cupboards.  I had a 5 # lifting restriction for the first month, and 8# lifting restriction for the 2nd month (this may have been due to the 2 surgeries at the same time.)

I had to wear ACE bandages on arms for first two months and then silicone strips.  This necessitated keeping my arms covered with 3/4 sleeves and that has been a "pain" in this heat this summer.

My arms look great and I love them.

I was pleasantly surprised at how little pain I experienced with the brachioplasty. I was expecting horrible pain because my arms are strangely sensitive... and there was so little, I was completely amazed.

I think I was swollen for quite a long time, but I could move my arms without problems after a week or so.  Sleeping was a little difficult so try to make yourself as comfy as possible. (I'm a side sleeper... no dice with the bandaged arms!)

All in all, brachioplasty was probably the easiest surgery I've ever had.

Good luck, Kim. Hope it goes well!
~Nicci