Five Questions Answered About Brachioplasty Recovery

When you have hanging skin or fat on the underside of your arm, this may lead to some embarrassment or self-consciousness. Often caused by natural aging or extreme weight loss, loose underarm skin may be resistant to traditional diet or exercise programs. At J. Timothy Katzen, M.D. Beverly Hills, we perform arm lift procedures to make the arms more fit and toned. plastic surgeon Dr. J. Timothy Katzen is an expert in a procedure called a brachioplasty. The brachioplasty is an arm reduction or arm lift. The brachioplasty can give you the appearance you desire. If you would like to learn more about getting rid of loose skin and fat in the upper arms, contact Dr. Katzen for a private consultation in Beverly Hills, CA.

1. WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT RIGHT AFTER BRACHIOPLASTY?

Brachioplasty is an upper arm lift surgery that uses advanced methods and technology to remove extra arm skin and fat. During your consultation, Dr. Katzen will examine the area and review your medical history to determine your candidacy. It is important for patients to be near their ideal weight and in good overall health so they can properly recover from the arm lift surgery. Dr. Katzen and his staff will give you guidelines to follow during your brachioplasty recovery so it can proceed uneventfully.

Immediately after your arm lift surgery, you will have ace wraps on your arms to minimize arm swelling. Because of the general anesthesia and post-operative pain medication, a responsible adult should drive you home. Try to get someone to help take care of you during the first few days and provide assistance for things like childcare and household chores. Dr. Katzen suggest drinking plenty of water and eating healthy meals to speed up the brachioplasty recovery timeline as much as possible. Remember to get plenty of rest as well!

2. HOW PAINFUL IS THE RECOVERY PROCESS?

While some pain and swelling are expected during your arm lift recovery, the pain should dissipate after a few days. The professionals at J. Timothy Katzen, M.D. Beverly Hills can give you advice for making the discomfort as manageable as possible. For example, patients should use extra pillows to keep their arms elevated at night. This will increase circulation and reduce swelling as you heal. Try to wear comfortable, loose clothing that is easy to take on and off. Zip-ups and button-ups are better than pullovers in this case. If you experience increased redness or pain at the incision sites, please report these symptoms to Dr. Katzen as soon as possible so he can assist you.

3. HOW SOON CAN I GET BACK TO WORK?

The usual recovery time for brachioplasty is about two weeks if no complications are experienced. Allow your body enough time to heal and try to use your arms as minimally as possible. Even though it’s normal for your arms to feel weak after treatment, your arms will get stronger over time. It’s essential to attend all follow-up appointments with Dr. Katzen, and continue to follow all instructions as given.

Since an arm lift is designed to remove loose arm skin and fat, patients should follow a healthy lifestyle to avoid future weight loss or gain. Once you are recovered, and Dr. Katzen allows you to begin exercise again, patients can consider weight training to maintain their results and keep their arms looking slim and toned. Strength training is also a great way to show off those previously hidden arms.

4. HOW SOON CAN I GET BACK TO EXERCISE?

Brachioplasty patients need to pause their exercise routines for at least 4 – 6 weeks while healing from arm lift surgery. For a quicker recovery, get plenty of rest and avoid any bearing weight on your arms or lifting heavy objects over your head. Once you get approval from Dr. Katzen, you can take walks around the house and slowly ease back into regular workouts. Taking the process one step at a time will minimize post-surgery side effects, like swelling and discomfort.

5. SHOULD I EXPECT ANY SCARRING?

An arm lift or Brachioplasty requires an incision to remove excess arm skin and fat. An incision leads to stitches and scarring. J. Timothy Katzen, M.D. Beverly Hills will provide special instructions for the care of your incision and how to keep them clean during recovery. Patients will need to keep the incisions bandaged and wrapped to minimize the infection and other complications. Try to limit UV exposure to protect the incisions from discoloration and scarring. Dr. Katzen will always make every effort to ensure that incisions heal as thin and flat as possible.

SCHEDULE A BRACHIOPLASTY CONSULTATION

Sagging skin on the upper arms can cause individuals to feel embarrassed or shy about the appearance of their arms. Whether the skin is hanging due to natural aging, genetics, or weight loss, this cosmetic concern can be addressed with arm lift surgery at J. Timothy Katzen, M.D. Beverly Hills. plastic surgeon Dr. J. Timothy Katzen is an expert in this procedure and can restore your arms, so they look thin and toned. Learn more about brachioplasty recovery and contact Dr. Katzen’s office to schedule your consultation in Beverly Hills, CA.