I need the 411 on getting my arms done, please :)

I'm ready to get my arms done!!! Here are my questions:

- what was the pain like?

- how long do you think I should be off work (desk job)
Is a week possible?

I had my BL/BA on a Tuesday and was back to work the following Monday. I had my LBL on 12/10 and went back to work after two weeks.

I have a desk job and went back to work a week and a half after the surgery.  I did work 1/2 days the first week back because I had alot of swelling.  The pain from the surgery wasn't bad.  I had alot of swelling the first few months and little twinges of pain that only lasted a second while the nerves were healing.  My incision goes from about an inch below my elbow, up my arm, and down about 8 inches on my side.  Good luck

 Mine wasnt painful and yes a week off should be fine.  

Question, How is your range of motion in the arms post brachio?

I have a hard time twisting in bed due to my TT scar... I wonder if you can still reach all the way up and down?

I want to get my arms done eventually but scared of the pain .. yikes..

 Michele ,

You don't have to be scared of the pain, there honestly is not much.  I can't reach all the way up and down yet at 5 weeks but my range of motion is much improved. For the first couple of weeks, you do not have a good range of motion - picture yourself with tyrannosaurus rex arms!

If you keep things you need at counter level and make sure you are careful when putting on clothing over your head, it makes it easier.

 I had pain for the first couple of days that was easily controlled with a pain killer every 4 hours.  After that, no pain.  Some discomfort but quite a bit of that was relieved by making sure that the skin/scarline on the underarm didn't touch the part thru the armpit - achieved this by wearing a cotton t-shirt.

I think a week would be just fine for recovery. Just remember no lifting anything over 5lbs for the first 2 weeks and careful lift for at least a month after that.

Sounds like you are a good healer and this should be no problem for you!

Please be aware- everyone is different.
Not everyone breezes thru it.

My brachio was the most painful thing I have ever been thru.

My TT/FDL was a walk in the park in comparison.

I was completely surprised by the pain I had in my arms and pits. It was a very difficult recovery.

I went back to my job (RN but mostly at a desk these days) in 3 weeks.

I have a high pain tolerance. I am not a baby at all. But there are lot of nerves in the arms and axilla.

Not to be a Gloomy Gus but I feel people need to hear the good, the bad and the ugly.

When I was researching, I wanted to hear it all.

I appreciate your honesty! I'm like you - I want to hear eeeverything about it!

I'll let you know shortly after May 2nd. 

I had my arms done on a Friday and could have gone back the following Monday. I felt OK in a week but the biggest issue for me was range of motion for things like driving. Hard to even turn the stearing wheel at first.

Edited to add my range of motion is 100% now. I think in about 6 months it was mostly back to normal.

Laura