Brachioplosty

How many of you have had problems with this surgery?  How long is the healing time?  Is the swelling really bad?  Is it worth the pain and time down.  Going in for mine 12/17/13   Very  scarred about this  any help would be great thanks.

I had this surgery on Wednesday, August 28th and was working from home on Friday, August 30th.  The first couple of days were rough mostly because I was afraid of stretching too far and splitting stitches. My PS required a compression garment which actually kept me pretty tight and secure. Aside from the garment, I felt that I could have gone back to work the following week.  But it was August and the compression garment was long sleeved and not able to be hidden easily so I worked from home for the next 2 weeks until I could cut the compression garment down to 12 hours per day.  Out of all of the procedures that I have had, I felt that this was by far the easiest to deal with.  By one week out, I was able to reach over my head and wash and dry my own hair.  I had minimal swelling.  I was on bromelain which helps to control swelling.  I am now about 10 weeks out and am loving my arms and am very happy that I did it.

Have you had any other plastics work?  How was your recovery?

Did you have any pain in your forearms? When I extend mine they hurt! I was only cut to the elbow. Just curious... my surgoen and PCP are not concerned so neither am I. 

I did not have pain per say in my forearms.  For the first two weeks I felt a little pulling in my forearms when I extended my arms but that has since gone away.  As far as pain overall, I took my pain meds the first day and a half and then for two nights to help me sleep.  After that no pain meds.  

Thanks. It doesn't warrant pain meds but I definitely feel the pulling at 5 weeks out still, especially if I extend and rotate my arms. There is not a loss of ROM, though.

I have had anchor cut lower body litf thight lift that went very bad got very bad infection and gad to use wound vac for three months. Very scarred of the arms but doing it anyway. Just wondering how other people have done with the arms

I wish you well with your next surgery. My first surgery there were no complications. I've had a few minor complications with my recent surgery, mostly with the arms. Both axilla opened, there is some superficial skin necrosis, and limited range of motion at 5 weeks out. I want to assure you that this looks a whole lot worse than it is. I know you are concerned so my best advice is not to use your arms for anything for three weeks. 

 

I'm three weeks out from multiple procedures, including an arm lift. I haven't had any complications. I was able to take a shower two days after my surgery and wash my own hair. I had quite a bit of swelling, especially in my hands, the first two weeks while my lymphatic system reworked some networks. I wore ace bandages for compression 24 hours a day for the first two weeks and kept them elevated. After 2 weeks, I had my stitches out and started wearing the ace bandages 12 hours a day. I can fully extend my arms. My only restriction now for my arms is no repetitive out-stretched motion like painting with a paint roller or vacuuming. No real pain except around my elbows when they swell and discomfort when the incisions rub under my arms.

It sounds like I am having a much harder time with my brachioplasty than everyone else. I am approaching 6 weeks post op and both my axilla are open, my arm wound is not fully healed, I still have limited ROM, and my forearms hurt when I extend them and turn them. 

Sounds like I drew the short straw.

I had my arms done with a LBL (not tummy tuck), inner thigh lift, and upper body lift. Maybe combining with the thigh lift was not a good idea. 

I am so thankful to read your post. I want brachioplasty done over everything else and have seen some photos that just made me cringe and tell myself I'd just never be sleeveless! So your post was very helpful! Thank you!!