How long does it take to recover from an arm lift? (Photo)

For
your arm lift or brachioplasty, I would suggest a full arm lift. This would include extensive arm liposuction
to remove arm fat. In addition, an
incision would be made from the axillae (armpit) to the elbow. Your arm lift or brachioplasty should take
3-4 hours to perform. Since you have a
desk job, you should be able to return to work 2-3 weeks after your arm lift. 

You
did not include forearm pictures. It is
possible that you may also need a forearm reduction. In this surgery, the arm lift incision is extended
past the elbow onto the forearm. In some
patients, I have extended this incision to the mid-forearm while in other
patients, I have extended this incision to the wrist.

Since
you have significant excess arm skin and fat, you should seek insurance
coverage. Unless there is exclusion for
massive weight loss, your brachioplasty or arm reduction should be covered by
insurance.

Good
luck with your arm lift or brachioplasty surgery.

Recovery takes up to 3 weeks. During this time swelling will start to subside. You can return to your work after one week. Be sure to keep all of your follow up visits with your surgeon.

Based upon the photos you have provided, you can expect a dramatic change in the appearance of your upper arms after an arm lift!I would plan on taking a good two weeks off of work.  Some patients who type a lot at work will take off three. You will find that once you return to work your arms will likely be sore at the end of the day.  Although this won't affect the final results, it can be annoying.  Rest assured, though, because with time this discomfort will resolve completely. Best of luck to you!

Thank you for your picture.  I recommend that you take off about 2 weeks from work to allow adequate time for the initial recovery.Earl Stephenson, Jr, MD,DD, FACS

Thank you for your question and the
picture.Each surgeon's instructions are going to be different.  Ask your surgeon for his/her specific instructions and follow them.I have included a web reference to our arm lift recovery instructions and typically recommend return to a desk job between 1-2 weeks.

I hope this helps.