Have some questions about brachioplasty post-op... swelling/compression garments etc....

 I would greatly appreciate any input from people who have had a brachioplasty (especially those who have had extended ones with scars through the arm pits.) Can you please share how the healing process was for yu.  How long did you find that your arms stayed swollen?  If you had bruising, how long did it stay around?  Also, my doctor isn't against compression garments, but he also isn't really a pusher of them.  He says just to do what I feel is comfortable for me.  What are your thoughts on compression wear and what kinds did you find worked best?  Where are the best places to buy compression wear for the arms?  Thanks in advance for all input!! It helps a lot to hear about others' experiences!

I am 6 weeks post op and had incision from inside elbow to armpit and down the side to my hip so I can speak to what you are asking.  I didn't bruise at all.  I do still have some swelling.  What has worked best for me is wearing under armour heat gear compression running shirts.  I have a black and white one.  I wear a sports bra with that compression shirt over it and it works great.  The surgery went great and the pain minimal.  However, I did get a staph infection , MRSA, which was scary and knocked me back a week or so.  Because of that he is keeping me in compression for 10 weeks instead of the usual 6 weeks.

If he goes in your armpit find out if he will take out the skin that grows the hair...mine did and now I never have to shave arm pits again!  Woo-hoo!!! 

I felt really good by week 2 (before the infection), hope that helps.  I would say right now I am 90% back to normal.  I'm running biking and working out but not quite at the place where I forgot I had something done to my arms.

My arms had some swelling for several weeks (especially late in the day).

I was allowed to put icepacks on them ---- I got the flexible ice packs that slide into a sleeve and then they velcro around your body -- and my husband helped me put them on -- I sat in bed with my arms propped on pillows with the icepacks on them.

My doc was not a big proponent of compression garments either.
I bought some really soft 'cuddle under' shirts (great price at Ross) and I work them under my clothes - they fit pretty close to the skin.

I also had a breast lift at the same time as my brachio --- so, I wore the cuddle unders next to my skin, then my front-close bra, and then a long-sleeved shirt.

You can wear any type of shirt - but you might want to turn them inside out if they have under-arm seams -- to keep the seams away from your incisions.

 Hi Belle,

Just had the Brachioplasty on Monday, December 12th - here's what I've got.

The swelling was the worst the first 3-4 days and then has stabilized to marginally puffy, but not completely uncomfortable.

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of brushing, but I don't have drains in my arms and they oozed for the first 3 days, which was gross but super effective.

Doc says the best scars he's seen we're when people are compressed the longest, because it keeps the scar small and flat.  He said do what is comfortable, but that if you can tolerate it, wrap for best results, so - I'm keeping these baby's wrapped until I don't feel like I had anything done... At least that is the game plan.  Also sporting a crazy sports bra with Velcro everywhere until I feel well enough to shop.

Hope this helps!

Xo Alicia

Had my extended brachio on 11-2. No swelling, no bruising, no infections, no seromas. I had my drains pulled on day 5. MD said I could stop wearing compression at 1 week. I would sometimes wear compression long sleeve t shirt just for comfort. My scars are almost invisible already and totally flat. Only really painful until about day 4, after that really only uncomfortable for a while. I think I was washing my kitchen floor by about day 10. I really had to hold myself back. I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat. Good luck.

brachioplasty with incision from armpit to elbow on 11-8. My drainage tubes were in for a week and removed after drainage was less that 20cc for 3 days.

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago and I have a buildup of fluid, could be seroma but at this point my surgeon wants me to use a hot compress and continue wearing my compression shrug that I purchased. He hinks the body will absorb them and would like to not open or drain them but will re-evaluate in 3 weeks.

Not sure how or why it happened but it really does not bother me, just hope it drains out soon.

In 2009, I had the extended Brachioplasty with lipo for shaping.  My arms and hands were pretty swollen for 3 or 4 days and then it decreased greatly.  I wore compression garments for 6 months - my doctor suggest 8 weeks, but I found that the swelling was so much less with them.  I purchased the compression garments from www.designveronique.com and from www.marenagroup.com.  They are a bit pricey, BUT well worth it!