You will receive thorough written instructions for arm lift recovery. The instructions will include ways to prevent infection and when to follow up with your surgeon.
Dressings will be applied to your incisions, and your arms may be wrapped in elastic bandages or compression garments to minimize swelling. Your surgeon will tell you how and when to change your dressings. A small, thin tube also may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain excess blood or fluid. If you have stitches that do not dissolve, you will return to Summit Medical Group 7 to 14 days after your surgery to have them removed. We will monitor your progress to make sure you are healing properly.
Most patients report some bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort for several days to a week after the procedure. You can take oral over-the-counter or prescription medications to manage any pain you experience, if necessary.
As long as your job is not strenuous, you should be able to return to work and your daily activities within 2 weeks. You should avoid sports and vigorous activities for 6 to 8 weeks.
You will be able to see the smoother, tighter contours of your upper arms immediately after surgery. You may not be able to see the final results for several weeks, however, when the swelling and bruising resolves.
Although arm lift surgery leaves scars on the inside or back of your upper arms, the scars will fade over time. We take great care to reduce scarring. We apply scar cream and perform massage, and we also usually provide cortisone injections anywhere on the incisions where the skin might thicken. This prevents the scars from becoming raised and prominent.
The results of arm lift surgery are long-lasting if you maintain a stable weight and level of fitness. While the natural effects of aging and gravity may cause your upper arms to lose some firmness over time, your arms will probably never go back to the same degree of sagging as before surgery. Regular exercise will help to keep your arms from sagging again.