Arm Lift Recovery

The skin along the arms can become loose as a result of the aging process and weight fluctuations. While minimal sagging is a common concern, the problem can be compounded if someone has lost a significant amount of weight. Loose skin that is left behind after weight loss will never go away, no matter how much lifting or exercise a person may do.

Arm lift surgery eliminates excess skin from the underside of the arm to give patients the more toned, defined contours they desire. Arm lift surgery can produce excellent results, but like any surgical procedure, it will require some downtime for recovery.

Dr. Patricia Berbari provides her patients with an overview of the typical arm lift recovery timeline prior to treatment at our Gatineau, QC practice.

How Long Is Arm Lift Recovery?

The exact length of arm lift recovery may vary slightly for each individual, but patients should anticipate at least one to two weeks of rest and recovery at home. If a patient has a job that is not physically demanding, he or she may be able to return to work as early as 10 days post-surgery, but most require two weeks off.

When patients do return to work and other routine activities, such as driving and household chores, they will need to refrain from heavy lifting or other activities that could pull at the surgical incision. It is usually six to eight weeks before these types of activities can be resumed.

Arm Lift Side Effects

During arm lift recovery, it is normal for patients to experience a number of surgical side effects. These side effects are most severe during the first week of recovery. After that, side effects should slowly dissipate until they have completely resolved.

The most common arm lift side effects include:

• Discomfort
• Inflammation
• Bruising

Any discomfort can be managed with the use of prescription or over-the-counter pain medication. Most patients only need to rely on this medication for a few days after surgery.

Bruising and swelling tend to last longer, and may linger for two to three weeks. Patients can minimize swelling by wearing compression garments as directed, applying cold compresses to the area, staying well hydrated, and keeping the arms slightly elevated when resting.

What Kind of Scar Will I Have?

A scar is an unavoidable part of arm lift surgery. In most cases, an arm lift incision extends from just beneath the arm pit, down to the elbow. However, the incision will be placed on the underside of the arm, so the remaining scar should not be easily noticeable. Furthermore, the scar will fade as it heals. It will likely appear red and raised in the first few months of recovery, but within a year, it should look more like a light pink or white line.

Learn More

If you believe that you could benefit from arm lift surgery and would like to learn more about this surgical procedure, contact us at your earliest convenience. You can schedule a personal consultation to discuss your aesthetic goals with Dr. Patricia Berbari by calling (819) 243-7667.