How To Sleep After Arm Lift Surgery

When you’re recovering from brachioplasty surgery, you’ll want to sleep on your side and avoid using pillows. You should also wear a compression garment at night and be careful not to over-heat your arm.

You may feel uncomfortable sleeping on your stomach or back, so it’s best to sleep in the position that feels right for you. In this guide, we review How To Sleep After Arm Lift Surgery, tips for brachioplasty recovery, what to wear after arm lift surgery, and What is the best way to sleep after arm lift?

If you experience any pain during the night or feel like your arm is too tight, take an over-the-counter pain reliever before bedtime and use a heating pad or cold pack if necessary.

How To Sleep After Arm Lift Surgery

-It is important to only lift your arms less than 90 degrees at the shoulder for the first 10-14 days to minimize tension on the suture line. Sleep with your arms on 2-3 pillows to minimize swelling. This will improve the quality of your scar.

-Please wear your arm compression binder continuously for 2-3 weeks. You will likely be able to take it off to shower on day 3 or 4 after your first follow up visit with Dr. DePerro.

-Do not lift anything heavier than 10 lbs for 3 weeks. It is good to walk for 15-20 minutes 2-3 times per day. Do not run, lift weights, play tennis, or golf for 3-4 weeks. (Keep your heart rate under 100 for 3 weeks.) You may begin swimming 4 weeks post-operatively.

-Do not take ibuprofen, aspirin or products containing aspirin for 3 weeks after surgery.

-No showering until cleared by Dr. DePerro. This usually occurs after your first post operative visit around day 3.

-When showering you can hold your drains, pin them to a belt around your waist, attach

them to a lanyard or string around your neck, or a partner/family member can hold them. Do whatever is easiest for you.

-Leave all surgical tapes in place. You may change the gauze pads (4×4’s) or ABD pads around the drains or over the incision but do not remove the tape that is covering the incision.

-Strip your drains at least 3 times per day. If you use a small amount of soap/water or hand sanitizer it makes the process easier

-Record the individual drain output daily. Bring the record to your follow up appointment.

-Keep your drainage bulbs collapsed and please record the amounts of drainage over a 24-hour period. All patients heal differently according to many factors. Dr. DePerro will make the decisions regarding drain removal and necessity of office visits. (Generally the drains will be removed when the drainage is 30cc or less in a 24-hour period, which usually occurs in 5-7 days.)

-Do Not apply a heating pad or ice to your incisions, After surgery you will have decreased sensation and heat/ice can result in a burn/frost bite without you feeling it.

-Take your pain medication with food. This can be with as little as a few crackers. This will help prevent nausea.

-Do not drive for at least 7-10 days, until you’re off all pain medication, you can safely control a car, and you feel like you have full mobility to react quickly and appropriately in the case of an emergency.

-Moderate swelling of your arms is to be expected. You may find that your clothes may not fit as easily as before. Be patient. The swelling will gradually subside and you will be back to normal in a few months.

-Because of the removal of tissue from your arms, there is a certain amount of tightness that is to be expected. This will slowly relax within 3-6 months.

-Infrequently after surgery, you may have fluid in the arms after the drains are removed. If this happens, please contact our office, as Dr. DePerro will want to see you to remove the fluid.

-You can expect swelling of the surgery site. If the swelling is definitely more pronounced on one side than the other side, or if you are having pain which is NOT relieved by the pain medication, call Dr. DePerro’s office.

-All incisions will be extremely sensitive during the healing phase. Direct sun is to be avoided. When going out, even on cloudy days, use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or greater for at least 1 year that has both UVA and UVB protection.

-Smoking causes multiple wound healing complications. It is very important that you do not smoke and you are not around people that smoke for at least 6 weeks after surgery. Second hand smoke is just as harmful as if you were to smoke.

-It is important to get out of bed early and often after your surgery (with assistance) to prevent postoperative problems. Be sure to walk at least 300 yards daily. This can be broken up in multiple short trips. It is OK and recommended that you walk more than the minimum of 300 yards. This will help prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT’s/Blood Clots) and Pulmonary Embolisms (PE’s).

tips for brachioplasty recovery

Have you retired tank tops, short-sleeved shirts, and strapless dresses to the back of your closet to avoid putting your arms on display? Have you lost a significant amount of weight and now struggle with unattractive sagging, excess skin on the backs of your upper arms? Arm Lift surgery, or Brachioplasty, may be the perfect solution to achieve slimmer, more toned-looking arms and restore your confidence in wearing ANY fashion!

What is Arm Lift Surgery?

“Arm Lift surgery removes excess skin and fat on the upper arms, usually spanning the length between the inner elbow and underarm, through surgical excision and liposuction,” explains Dr. Nathan Leigh, a board-certified plastic surgeon with Edina Plastic Surgery.

“The goal of this surgery is to help patients reclaim more proportionate, toned, and defined looking upper arms. Results can be dramatic, and recovery can be relatively short, but it is still important to appreciate that each patient is different in both their outcome and healing process.”

Who is a Good Candidate for Arm Lift Surgery?

Although fluctuations in weight can contribute to the appearance of your upper arms, growing older and genetics can also cause arms to have a drooping, sagging appearance. Weight training may help improve the strength of the underlying muscle in your upper arms, but this will not address excess skin, underlying weakened tissues, and localized fat deposits. Arm Lift surgery may be right for you if the underside of your upper arms is sagging or appear loose and full due to excess skin and fat.

What is the Recovery Timeline after Arm Lift Surgery?

“Many factors can contribute to how quickly a patient heals after Arm Lift surgery,” says Dr. Leigh. “Your medical history, age, sex, and even occupation can play a role in how quickly you bounce back. Patients who are active and have healthy habits established before their surgery are often better able to handle surgery and its recovery time.”

1-3 Days Post Arm Lift Surgery – Most patients experience moderate pain the first few days after their Arm Lift which can be managed with prescription or over-the-counter medication. Expect that your arms will be bandaged and wrapped after surgery, impacting your range of motion and movements that you can perform. You may feel increased pain and pressure near your incisions and when your arms are in motion. The muscles of your arms may also feel sore, and bruising and swelling will be present.

“You’ll want a little extra help with regular activities around the house the first few days after your Arm Lift surgery,” advises Dr. Leigh. “Lean on family and friends for support and make sure you have someone who can stay overnight with you the first night you return home. Have some comfortable, loose button-up shirts on hand, as you’ll want to avoid reaching over your head to pull on a shirt.”

1 Week After Arm Lift Surgery – Although pain, swelling, and bruising will significantly subside one week after your surgery, anticipate that all of these may persist for up to a month following your procedure. Many patients transition to over-the-counter pain management after the first week, and many find that they need none at all by this point.

10 Days After Arm Lift Surgery – Any drainage tubes (if used), stitches, and bandages are usually removed at this time. Although your range of motion and arm mobility may have improved, it is still essential to follow your surgeon’s post-care instructions when it comes to lifting anything heavy and stretching your arms. Most patients return to work by this time and resume normal activities around the house. Compression garments are recommended to aid in the healing process.

2 Weeks After Arm Lift Surgery – “Two weeks post-surgery is generally when we begin a scar therapy treatment plan,” says Dr. Leigh. “This may include silicone-based taping products and/or scar creams. In the future, we may even recommend that you consult with an Advanced Practice Esthetician in our medical spa, Skin Artisans, to discuss further revising your scars with laser or other treatments.”

1 Month After Arm Lift Surgery – Any swelling and bruising from your surgery should be mostly resolved 4-6 weeks after your procedure. Your surgeon may also tell you that you no longer need to wear compression garments on your upper arms. Many patients are cleared to resume their regular exercise routine, begin to lift heavier objects and return to such sports as tennis and golf. Any treatment to address the appearance of scarring will continue for four to six months after Arm Lift surgery.

Is There Scarring with Arm Lift Surgery?

“There’s no way around it – you will have scars from Arm Lift surgery,” says Dr. Leigh. “As surgeons, we strive to place your incision in the most discreet location possible that will be easy to hide in the future, but anticipate that your scar from Arm Lift surgery will extend from the inner elbow to the underarm. These scars will blend and lighten significantly over time, and our medical spa, Skin Artisans, offers many cosmetic treatments that can further minimize their appearance.

“Although we tend to focus on facelifts, breast augmentations, and tummy tucks when we think of plastic surgery, the number of patients requesting Arm Lift surgery has dramatically increased over the last decade,” shares Dr. Leigh. “The appearance of sagging skin on the upper arms can really make people feel self-conscious, to the extent that it completely dictates what clothes they feel comfortable wearing. I encourage anyone dissatisfied with loose, excess skin on their upper arms to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss Arm Lift. The procedure is affordable, has a faster recovery than many other surgeries, and can be life-changing!”

what to wear after arm lift surgery

For many people, brachioplasty is the body sculpting answer for a firmer, smoother upper arm area. An upper arm lift can help correct loose or sagging skin due to aging or significant weight loss. It can also incorporate liposuction to remove excess adipose fatty tissue, which often creates the dreaded “bat wing” appearance. Brachioplasty can help bring back a firmer, more contoured shape to your upper arms so you can feel confident again when wearing a bathing suit or sleeveless shirt.

At Jeffrey LaGrasso M.D. in Miami, FL, renowned board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey LaGrasso and his experienced team offer women and men this body contouring procedure to achieve their aesthetic goals. If you are considering brachioplasty, read on to learn about arm lift recovery tips and what you can expect with post-operative swelling, or feel free to contact our office to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. LaGrasso today.

Arm lift recovery tips

Whether you are dealing with drooping skin due to aging or excessive weight loss, brachioplasty, or arm lift surgery, can be the body sculpting solution you need. An upper arm lift is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess, loose skin in the upper arm area. Liposuction can also be added to remove excess adipose fatty deposits for optimal arm sculpting results. Along with post-surgical bandages, you may need to wear a compression garment to keep swelling down. It is important to have someone drive you home and stay with you for the first few days to help during recovery. Patients should also:

What to expect after arm lift surgery

Since everyone heals at their own pace, there is no universal timeline for arm lift recovery. However, patients should plan to take about 1 – 2 weeks off from work or normal activities. It is normal to experience post-surgical bruising, soreness, tightness, and swelling. Swelling can be present in the target area for up to six months but will continue to subside as healing progresses. The exact amount of time for how long to wear a compression garment after arm lift surgery can vary. Patients may be asked to wear compression garments for about 3 – 6 weeks to help control side effects, such as bruising or swelling, and allow the arms to heal properly. Patients will want to use pillows to keep the arms elevated, increase circulation, and reduce swelling during the day and at night.

Does arm lift surgery leave scars?

Surgical procedures, like an arm lift, will require incisions to remove excess skin and fat from the target area. The incisions will continue to heal and fade to a normal skin color during the first 12 months after surgery. It is important for Miami, FL men and women to avoid direct sun exposure and apply sunscreen to protect incision sites. This helps to avoid scar tissue becoming discolored. Patients must be aware that brachioplasty scarring may be lengthy in size and slow to heal. It can take from a few months or up to a year before the scar is less noticeable and more skin tone in color.

While most patients will see some initial results shortly after arm lift surgery, post-operative swelling will obstruct the full outcome for about six weeks. However, once most of the major swelling subsides, patients can begin to enjoy their fantastic results. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jefferey LaGrasso will ensure every patient leaves his office loving how they look. For more information on arm lift surgery, call our Miami, FL office today and let our experienced team help you.

What is the best way to sleep after arm lift?

Flabby upper arms or bat wings are a common aesthetic concern among women. Caused by factors such as weight loss, heredity, and natural aging, loose workouts exercise. An arm lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that can address saggy skin under the upper arms. Traditional arm lift surgery can address flabby arms but is an invasive procedure that involves long scars and extensive downtime. Fortunately, today, women can now get a scarless arm lift. Leading plastic surgeons in NYC perform this minimally invasive procedure using BodyTite, an FDA approved radiofrequency assisted device. The procedure can help you achieve well-shaped arms without any long incisions or scars and comes with minimal downtime and short recovery. How you sleep after arm lift is important aspect of recovery and results.

Regardless of whether you get invasive or minimally-invasive arm lift surgery, you should give your body time to heal properly. Your body needs proper rest and sleep for smooth and quick recovery. Getting enough sleep after any plastic surgery procedure is a critical part of the healing process. This largely depends on maintaining a comfortable sleeping position during the recovery phase. Following arm lift surgery, patients will be advised to sleep on their back (not on stomach or side) with their head elevated for at least the first two weeks. The arms must also be kept elevated with the help of pillows for the first 72 hours after arm lift surgery. Keeping the arms elevated would ensure drainage of fluids from the upper extremities and reduce inflammation in the surrounding soft tissue.

To make your sleeping position more comfortable, consider using a recliner for the initial few weeks after arm lift surgery. If you do not have a recliner, you can sleep on a sofa or use a 45-degree wedge on the bed while keeping your arms elevated with pillows and slightly bending the elbows.

Traditional arm lift surgery, also known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that creates a more aesthetically-pleasing look for your arms by removing excess skin and contouring the connective tissues of the arms. On the other hand, a scarless arm lift contours the arm similar to a traditional armlift but without long incisions, scars and extensive downtime. For both procedures, proper care is critical during the recovery period. Patients would be advised to wear a compression garment to control swelling and avoid smoking before the surgery and during the recovery stage.

Today, expert plastic surgeons in NYC offer a noninvasive scarless arm lift using InMode EVOLVE. With this nonsurgical procedure, there is absolutely no pain, recovery period or downtime. Patients can return to normal activities immediately after the treatment. Improvements would become visible in as little as 2 weeks after the procedure.

If you are considering a scarless arm lift in NYC, make sure you choose an AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery practice that offers the service of plastic surgeons who are well-trained in all these techniques. A reliable surgeon will recommend the best option to help you achieve your aesthetic goals as well as guidance on how to manage recovery for the best results.

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