Rest & Recovery after Arm Lift Surgery

The journey to reshaped arms doesn’t end in the operating room. After the surgical scar seals and the hospital stay concludes, patients embark on a pivotal phase: recovery. Healing from an arm lift surgery is a structured process, with critical steps to optimise outcomes and minimise the risk of complications. It involves adhering to post-operative care instructions, managing bruising and swelling, wearing compression garments, and allowing time for the body to restore strength and regain functionality. Each stage in the recovery timeline is an investment in the overall success of the procedure, ensuring the supportive tissue and reshaped contours settle into their new form.

Dr Dona’s clinic provides all patients with detailed written pre- and post-operative instructions. Furthermore, all your post-operative appointments are booked prior to your day of surgery.

We offer an intensive post-operative treatment plan which involves 2-3 appointments per week for the first three weeks, and then regular appointments thereafter. It is during these first few weeks where we will carefully monitor your progress and wound healing and commence various treatments to ensure you achieve the best possible outcome.

The incorporation of post-operative LED therapy and skin needling has also been shown to encourage healing and scar quality. At Dr Dona’s clinic, LED therapy is an integral and compulsory part of all our post-operative care and typically you will receive 2-3 sessions per week for the first few weeks as a minimum. 

Timeline for full recovery

• It is important to know that everyone has a different experience after surgery from negligible pain to significant discomfort.
• You may experience different sensations and feelings in the arms and forearms including numbness, pins and needles, shooting pains, tightness or burning sensations – most of these will gradually resolve over the first 6 weeks. It is normal to experience permanent patches of numbness adjacent to the scars and in parts of the forearm.
• Whilst some patients may be able to go home the same day as surgery, others may need to stay in hospital for 1-2 days.
• Two plastic tubes or drains are usually placed adjacent to your wounds on your left and right side.
• You have at least one drip in place to give you intravenous fluids and pain control medication and antibiotics.
• Your hands will be swollen after surgery and will typically get worse over the first few days. This will usually take several weeks to settle.
• Depending on the type of arm reduction surgery required, and assuming you are scheduled to stay in hospital for 1-2 days, when you wake up from surgery you may also have a catheter in your bladder, so you don’t have to worry about getting up and trying to go to the toilet.
• Reducing the risk of blood clots (DVT’s)
  • During your surgery, and if you are remaining in hospital overnight, you will also have special massage devices on both legs which promote blood flow and is designed to minimize the chance of any clots developing in your leg veins.
• Whilst in hospital you are encouraged to do simple foot exercise such as tapping your feet or wriggling your toes. This is designed to activate your calf muscles and encourage blood flow and is another vital measure to help reduce the risk of blood clots.
• In addition to this, whilst in hospital all patients are given an injection once per day of a blood thinner (clexane). This also serves the same purpose of helping to minimise blood clot issues.
• Mobilising regularly and remaining well hydrated at all times is also recommended.
• All your wounds are covered using waterproof dressings. The wounds are stitched using several layers of internal dissolving sutures.  You may have some visible sutures – these will be removed at your 1-week post-op appointment.
• The hospital nurse or physiotherapist will help you out of your bed the day after surgery.
• Prior to being discharged from hospital your drains, drips and catheter are removed. However, if you are going home the same day as the surgery, then any drains you have will be removed the following day at your first clinic post-operative appointment.
• After everything has been removed, you will be able to have a shower with assistance.
• When you leave the hospital, you will be given pain medications and antibiotics – please take them as prescribed.
  
• It is recommended that you have someone with you at home for at least the first week for general day-to-day care.
• Bloating and Constipation is very common after surgery. This is because you have just had surgery, you are less mobile and taking strong pain medication which causes slowing of the bowels. You are encouraged to have plenty of fluids, a high fibre diet and some gentle laxatives such as Movicol to help restore your normal bowel habits.
• You will be given Movicol whilst in hospital and are encouraged to continue with the above measures at home until your normal bowel habits return.
• Gentle mobilisation at this stage is important to help prevent any post-operative complications. However, do not expect too much of yourself.
• DO NOT have baths or go swimming until at least 3 weeks after surgery.
• There is no recommended sleeping position, sleep whatever position you are comfortable in.
• A significant amount of the initial swelling will be gone in the first 1-2 weeks. The amount of swelling can differ slightly from one side to the other.
• Leave your dressings intact until your first post-operative appointment. Your first op appointment will be with the practice nurse where your wounds will be inspected, your post-op treatments to optimise recovery commence, and your dressings changed.

Wearing Compression Garments – When you wake up from your surgery you will have a compression garment on your arms. These are basically tight “sleeves” that control the swelling and help reduce tension on the wounds. Compression garments play a vital role in the recovery from an arm lift. Typically, these garments should be worn for four to six weeks post-surgery. The consistent pressure provided by these garments ensures that the arms heal to the optimal shape and can also assist in minimising the appearance of surgical scars.

Walking after a Brachioplasty – You can mobilise gently from day 1 after surgery – be guided by your body and keep it short. At 2 weeks post-op you can do basic cardio training including walking on a treadmill and stationary bike work but avoid any weighted workouts (including lower body workouts).

Driving after a Brachioplasty – You should not consider driving for the first 2 weeks after surgery. After this time, you should only drive if you feel safe doing so.

Returning to work after a Brachioplasty – You will be able to return to a light office or desk work environment at 2 weeks post-op. Light hospitality work may be possible at 4 weeks. Any employment that involves heavy lifting or straining must be avoided for 6 weeks.

Returning to normal after a Brachioplasty – At 6 weeks post-surgery you can gradually return to normal training and physical activities.

Consider the first 6 weeks after surgery as RECOVERY, and after 6 weeks consider all activities as REHABILITATION. Undertake any physical activities that you wish to do and be guided by your comfort and strength which will slowly improve.

Back to Normal after a Brachioplasty – It will take at least 6 months before you are feeling “normal” and able to do all the things you could before surgery.

Sexual Activity after a Brachioplasty – You can return to sexual activity at any stage with the following understanding:

• You should avoid any activities that increase your heart rate and blood pressure during the first couple of weeks as this can increase the risk of swelling or bleeding problems.
• Your wounds or adjacent surgical area should not be firmly handled or vigorously manipulated for the first six weeks.
• If you engage in sexual activity during the first six weeks, you need to take on a very passive role.
• Remember that you should not undertake any physical activities where you need to strain, exert, or even stretch your upper body muscles for the first 6 weeks.

Clinic Appointments – You will be required to be seen for regular post op checks for at least the first 6 months after surgery. Follow-up appointments will be shared between the practice nurses and Dr Eddy Dona.

Potential risks and complications

Undergoing an arm lift, like any surgical procedure, carries its share of potential risks and complications.

A detailed list of these potential complications can be found here:

www.drdonaplasticsurgery.com.au/body/arm-lift-brachioplasty/#complications

During the initial consultation, Dr Dona will evaluate your medical history to tailor the safest approach for your unique needs. Common risks associated with arm lift surgery include:

• Surgical Scars: Due to the nature of the procedure, a surgical scar will be present. The length and visibility of the scar depend on the amount of excess skin removed. Furthermore, brachioplasty scars do have a greater tendency to form thicker scars such as hypertrophic or keloid scars.

• Infection: As with any surgery, there is the risk of infection which can affect the healing process.

• Hematoma: The collection of blood under the skin, which may necessitate additional surgical procedures to drain.

• Seroma: Fluid accumulation that may require drainage.

• Nerve Damage: There can be temporary or permanent changes in sensation.

• Asymmetry: The arms may not look exactly symmetrical post-surgery.

• Remaining Loose Skin or Excess Tissue: Not all fat deposits and loose skin may be corrected, potentially requiring further surgery.

During the recovery time, it is vital to follow Post-Operative Care instructions closely to minimise these risks. Abstaining from strenuous activities and heavy lifting is crucial for a smooth healing process.

Conclusion: making an informed decision

Embarking on the journey of an arm lift surgery is a decision that demands careful consideration and comprehensive understanding.

It is imperative to engage in an initial consultation with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who possesses the acumen to assess your medical history and delineate a tailored treatment plan. This will not only acquaint you with the resultant surgical scar and the requisite recovery time but also equip you with the measures necessary for optimal Post-Operative Care.

Commonly, the average cost of an arm lift fluctuates based on surgeon fees, hospital fees, and the complexity of the procedure. Whilst private health insurance may offset certain expenses, if you are seeking a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon then you will still have out-of-pocket expenses.

In summary, when considering the substantial investment and the expected temporary refrains from normal activities and strenuous activities including heavy lifting, informed decision-making is crucial.