I Had a Bilateral Extensive Brachioplasty 5 Weeks Ago and My Arms are Uneven, What Are My Options? (photo)

I had a bilateral extensive brachioplasty 5 weeks ago. I have always had big arms, even as a child. I have lost 110 lbs on my own over the past 2 years and have been looking forward to the day I could wear short sleeves/sleevless shirts. But, one of my arms is bigger and as each week goes by my arm is starting to sag more and more underneath like it did before. I just wanna cry and my physcian doesn't think theres an issue. He said I need to workout but that didn't help before. Is there anything I can do?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by prettyprincess01 in 17 weeks post op

Doctor Answers (4)
Community Comments (1)

Asymmetry of Arms after Brachioplasty

Thank you for your question and pictures. You are still early in the recovery phase of this surgery. Brachioplasty surgery can be associated with swelling of the area for months after surgery. Since it has only been 5 weeks since your surgery, I would suggest keeping your follow up appointments with your doctor and allowing your body to heal before deciding that a revision surgery needs to be performed. Be patient.

Swelling can persist for a long time after upper arm surgery

This swelling can be frustrating. The upper arms and calves can remain swollen much longer than other areas after surgery. I would recommend that you continue with your compression carments, manual lymphatic drainage, arm elevation and scar therapy. Time will usually allow the swelling and the asymmetry to even out. In my patients, if they have very thick arms, I do SmartLipo or ultrasonic liposuction 3 to 4 months before the brachioplasty to get maximal arm... more

Scott Barr, MD

3 reviews

Sudbury Plastic Surgeon

Brachioplasty asymmetry

In the upper arm, swelling may take longer to resolve. The use of compression garments is frequently necessary for at least 8-12 weeks. Asymmetry is not that uncommon after bilateral procedures such as these. The question is if the asymmetry is that conspicuous. I would wait another month and continue to see your surgeon.

Uneven arms following brachioplasty.

Thanks for your question. I know how frustrating it can be following this type of surgery. You have lost an incredible amount of weight and now have had surgery to give you thinner arms so you can wear clothing that you haven't been able to wear in a long time. My best advice now is to still give things more time. I know 5 weeks seems like a long time but you are still swollen based on your photos. The majority of the swelling is gone but things will continue to... more

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Comments (1)

prettyprincess01 25 Mar 2013

To give an update I had my brachioplasty revision a few weeks ago and my arms look great!! The results are exactly what I was hoping for. I guess I just had a lot of excess skin that couldn't be completely removed the first time... But over all very happy!!

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