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Arm LIft - After Surgery
Dressings placed after the operation consist of ace wraps around the upper arms. Elevating the arms as much as possible during the first week after surgery is desired to keep down swelling of the hands and forearms. Some mild hand swelling should be expected in the first few days after surgery. Usually, sutures are placed beneath the skin so their removal is not necessary. There is very minimal bruising and pain associated with this operation. Arm activity can be gradually increased over the first month. Full arm activity, including exercise, can be resumed in 3 to 4 weeks after surgery. Tightness of the arms can be expected for several months until some skin relaxation occurs.
Complications from this procedure include the potential for poor scarring and fluid collections. Small fluid collections down by the elbow occur in some patients and may need to de drained by a needle in the office. Scars in the inner aspect of the arm will almost always widen to some degree but most patients find the scar preferable to the hanging skin. Due to the potential for poor scarring, topical scar creams are recommended during the time period of 3 weeks to 3 months after surgery.
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