Known as brachioplasty, an arm lift is a surgical procedure designed to target excess skin and fat in the upper arms. Whether due to significant weight loss or natural aging, exercise alone is often not enough to restore a more toned appearance to the upper arm. When you decide to have an arm lift, understanding your recovery is just as important as understanding the procedure. Here we offer five tips to help you get the most out of your arm lift procedure.
1. Rest and Follow Post-Op Instructions
After any surgical procedure, your body needs rest and an arm lift is no different. After your procedure, Dr. Davis will provide you with post-op instructions. This will cover everything from rest and medications for discomfort to incision care and follow-up appointments. Making sure you give your body time to heal while also following these instructions will help promote quality healing and results.
2. Ice Not Heat
Applying ice or a cold compress to your arms can help constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling and bruising in your upper arms. Always wrap the ice or cold compress in a cloth to avoid direct contact and only keep it in place for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Follow a Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is essential before and after your procedure for your body to heal and help you achieve optimal results. Eating healthy foods and staying hydrated is essential. In addition, limit your salt intake as too much salt can contribute to swelling. Consider adding anti-inflammatory foods like berries and leafy greens to your diet to help keep inflammation and swelling to a minimum. It is also important that you quit smoking a few weeks before your arm lift as well as throughout recovery as it can keep the body from properly healing.
4. Compression Is a Must
After an arm lift procedure, you will likely be advised to wear a compression garment during recovery. It is important to follow the provided instructions for wear and these garments provide support to the area of treatment, while also minimizing swelling and promoting better healing.
5. Raise Your Arms When Possible
Swelling is common after an arm lift procedure and is something you want to minimize during recovery. Raising your arms so they are above your heart helps promote fluid drainage from the treatment site, reducing the amount of swelling and bruising you experience. Consider adding pillows or foam wedges to support your arm in an elevated position when resting. One thing to keep in mind is to try and keep your arm as straight as possible when elevated to minimize the reduction of blood and fluid flow.
If you are considering an arm lift, but have questions, Dr. Drew Davis and his surgical team are here to answer your procedure and recovery questions. Call 916-318-5770 today to schedule your consultation and take the first step to toned arms.
Author: Dr. Drew Davis
Dr. Drew Davis completed his residency in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University Medical Center and is proud to be board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. After practicing for many years in the Bay Area, Dr. Davis has chosen private practice in the Sacramento area to allow him to provide the most personal and individualized patient care.
