Brachioplasty / Arm Reduction / Arm Lift in Sydney – Recovery

What should you expect after brachioplasty / arm reduction or lift in Sydney?

Brachioplasty can be performed as a day surgery procedure, but some patients prefer to stay overnight. Surgical drains are unusual in this procedure, unless you are having an extended brachioplasty (where the skin is also removed from the side of your chest wall).

Side effects that may occur after brachioplasty / arm reduction or lift in Sydney

In the first 24 hours, it is normal to expect some or all of the following symptoms:-

•    Drowsiness
•    Dry throat
•    Nausea (possibly)
•    Discomfort and stiffness

Pain control after your brachioplasty/ arm reduction or lift in Sydney

The local anaesthetic helps with pain control for the first evening, but has usually worn off by the following morning. This is usually the time when patients feel the most soreness. Regularly taking paracetamol and anti inflammatories for the first few days after the operation is important in minimising your discomfort and need for stronger pain killers.

You will wake up with a surgical or post operative compression garment on, and you should wear one at all times in the first four weeks after your arm lift in Sydney. This helps reduce the swelling in your arms, and may help with making sure that your arm contour is even. Many patients find that they continue to wear their compression sleeves longer than 3 weeks as they are a good method of keeping your silicone sheets (which help scar maturation) in place.

Going home after your brachioplasty / arm reduction or lift in Sydney

Once you are comfortable moving around your room, you will be discharged home with a prescription for pain relief and antibiotics. You will take these medications for a few days after your arm lift in Sydney.

Return to activity after your brachioplasty / arm reduction or lift in Sydney

You will need to plan for a little “down time” after your arm lift in Sydney. Most people can return to an office job within a week. Gently walking is the only exercise you should plan on doing for the first few weeks, and it will take about 4 weeks before you should return to the gym or restart running.

Your body will tell you (with pain) if you are trying too soon. When you feel pain, it’s important that you back off and wait a few days before trying that activity again, rather than “pushing through the pain.” Allowing time for your body to heal will result in the fewest complications from your brachioplasty (arm reduction or lift) in Sydney.

Follow up after your brachioplasty / arm reduction or lift in Sydney

You will be asked to see Dr Gavin Sandercoe for several follow up appointments to ensure that your body is healing well from the procedure. This also allows your Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney to treat any complications that occur. You will have appointments scheduled at one week and 3 weeks with our practice nurse, three and twelve months with Dr Gavin Sandercoe after your arm lift in Sydney. Some procedures may require longer follow up. If there are any problems, we want to hear from you and sort it out as soon as possible!