Question:
What can I expect to be able to do after an 'arm lift'?

This is for alll of you who have had an arm lift or brachioplasty...what can I expect when it comes to being able to care for myself? Things like moving in bed, eating, attending to personal hygiene? Should I have only one arm done at a time or do you think it would be ok to have both done at once? My incision will run on both my upper and forearm due to the extensiveness of the redundant skin. I am getting a little scapel shy due to some complications from my medial and lateral thighplasty (this has been by far, the WORSE discomfort...). Please let me know how y'all did and how you managed the above....Thanks!    — merri B. (posted on July 25, 2002)

July 25, 2002
Merri, I had my brachioplasty and panniculectomy in November, and although everyone has different surgical experiences, I thought that this was the "easiest" surgery I ever had. My incisions are from elbow to armpit, so I can't speak about forearm incisions. My upper arms were wrapped in gauze which stayed in place until I returned to the office...I had no drains in those areas. I had full range of motion and practically no pain in the immediate post-op period, and was able to turn/reach/move without any difficulty. I think that the lack of significant pain is due to the nerves that are cut during the surgery....I still have a fair amount of numbness along the incision lines, but that doesn't bother me....it's so wonderful to have really nice arms again! I wish you the same great experience :-)
   — Diana T.

July 27, 2002
Come on, people, any other brachiplastic patients out there with an opinion on this?
   — merri B.