compression sleeves for arm lifts - how long should I wear them

 Had facelift and armlift four weeks ago - Dr said wear the compression sleeves on arms for one month - so I should be able to stop wearing them today - but I'm not sure what they do and how I can tell if the arms will be ok if I just stop totally or if I should maybe wean them off by taking them off for a few hours at a time and then increasing the time off .....I have hated them but now I'm sort of used to them and the arms seem to prefer the pressure....

Are they to keep the swelling down or to keep the shape from getting lumpy?  I know some Drs don't even use them....tips or comments would be appreciated!

My plastic surgeon had me wear ace bandages for two months and then silicone strips for 2 months after that.

My brachioplasty scars are not covered now.  I find the scars are "irritated" by rubbing on clothing, sheets, etc.  I still have numbness around my right elbow and forearm.  I'm thinking of wearing "Cuddleduds" under my tops to keep the "irritation" of my incisions to a minimum.

Just my experience - I had my arm lift almost 2 years ago.  Per the surgeon's instructions, the day after the surgery I removed the ace bandages and after that never used compression.  My scars are now thin white lines that no one notices until I point them out.  I still only wear soft fabrics so they don't get irritated.  I used every cream and silicon strip I could find on my arms.  I had my TT three months later and didn't use anything on the scar.  Honestly the scars on my arms don't look any better than the scar from the TT.  Good luck with your recovery.

 Thanks for your reply - didn't like hearing that your arm scars are still so sensitive after two year that you need to wear soft fabrics....but glad the scars arent' noticeable - interesting that the creams didn't seem to make a difference...but maybe arms heal differently than stomachs...I have had a ton of skin cancer surgeries - and one on my lower leg has lasted forever where ones on other areas heal and disappear quickly.

Mine was a bra/sleeve garment and I wore them for almost 3mo fulltime.  If my arms swelled too much I'd put it back on the next month or so.  Haven't worn it now since month 4 or 5.  I'm 9mo out.  Although, I am still wearing my abdominal garment at night to help with the swell-hell...

 Hi Chris - sorry to hear there is still swell hell - this plastic surgery is way more painful and long lasting than I ever expected.  I slept without the sleeve garment last night and it was a different kind of pain than wearing them....so I think I may just do a part time on and off for awhile.  Guess the reason for wearing it is to keep the swelling in check?  Which is also what made it so painful to wear - now the arms look great but the elbows look too big and I think it's because they are still swollen - hopefully they will settle down and blend into the arm better.

thanks again for your input!

I wore my sleeves (I bought the ones from www.marenagroup.com) for over a year.  Full time days when I wasn't at work (I work nights) and full time when I was at work.  Basically, not to bed after the initial 4 months.  My arms felt so much better with them, then without them.  And it really decreased my swelling.  My scars on my left arm are very faded and beautiful.  I never used anything more than a cream I bought at Sam's Club.  My right arm, I pushed the limits on and the scar is wide and rised.  (my fault!)  - Dr S says that the arms and thighs heal differently due to the fibers of the skin.  My problem now is the forearms are so saggy - and there is nothing they can do for them!

Dee, I am having my AL in about 10 days and I was wondering what you think you could have done differently to minimize that scar on your right arm.  I am really worried about the arm scars.  The other scars I could care less about because they are always covered.  But if there is something I can do to make them better then at least I can try.

Laura

Laura,
I really believe that my scar looks so bad because I did too much, too soon!  I am right handed and I live alone.  I was in Monterrey with my BF for 12 days post op.  When I got home, he returned to N. Cali, where he lives and I was home alone.  I had to do things for myself, i.e. laundry, cooking, reaching for things, dressing myself - including zipping and snapping my compression garment for my tummy.  I remember trying to do the least I could, but some things I just had to do.  It put a strain on my incision and it widened - by stretching it made it raise.  This is the only thing I can think that caused it too look this bad.  My left scar is light and very nice looking, almost faded to the color of my arm.