What will I need help with after brachioplasty and breast lift?

Question

I’m planning on staying by myself after my surgery but am having friends check in on me each day if I need them. What exactly will I need help with? Will I be able to feed myself? Take things from the refrigerator and heat them up? Get water? Bathroom? Showering? Putting compression garmet back on? I have a wedge pillow and pillows for my arms. I’ve prepped food and have soft foods. Including yogurt smoothies with straws. I’m getting nervous so any suggestions or tips send my way!

Reza Rod, MD · Answer

No two people are alike and no two surgeries are alike.  It's understandable that if you combine two surgeries together there can be more discomfort than normal. I think that it's best to combine your breast lift and arm lift together for many reasons.  It's hard enough to take time off for one surgery but two can be almost impossible for most people.  You're already thinking about details of your recovery which is great.  The more help you have the better.  The longer people can watch over you and take care of you the better.  You'll certainly be walking around and able to take care of yourself shortly after your procedure but take it easy as much as you can.  By itself, Breast Lift surgery is usually associated with mild postoperative discomfort.  After Breast Lift surgery, you will have a comfortable and supportive circumferential dressing on your chest for a few days. The bandage will be replaced with a supportive bra at your next office visit. I recommend that you wear a supportive bra regularly, in order to provide the needed support and to help slow down any sagging that is inevitable as you continue to age.
Most woman return to work or school within several days to one week following their Breast Lift surgery. It is strongly recommended that you avoid any type of vigorous activities such as sports and aerobics for three weeks.Your arm lift surgery will make daily tasks more difficult but the sutures and arm garments should keep everything tight until you recover.  If you can get your friends and family to help you during your recovery it will make your recovery more comfortable.  Most patients will not need as much help as your question alludes to but you'll certainly benefit from as much TLC as you can get.  Listen to your body and your plastic surgeon.  Check in with your nurse if you have questions during your recovery.  I wish you the best of luck!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Sarahd129, Thank you for your questions regarding post-operative care after your brachioplasty (arm lift) and your breast lift.  For my brachioplasty patients, I advise that they have help for the first week. I prefer my brachioplasty patients keep their arms immobilized and straight.  Bending the arms too early can cause arm incisions to open and arm scars to spread.  Additionally, arm elevation aides in minimizing swelling or edema.  Arm swelling delays healing.  After your brachioplasty you will need help with activities of daily living.  You will need help with brushing your teeth, brushing your hair, sponge bathing, going to the bathroom, cleaning yourself in the bathroom, opening and closing your prescription bottles, changing your clothes, answering the phone, going to and from your appointments etc. To answer your specific questions, during the first week after your brachioplasty, you will not be able to feed yourself, you will not be able to take stuff from the fridge, you will not be able to get water, you will need help in the bathroom, and you will need help showering.  I think you need to re-think your post-operative brachioplasty care. On my website,  I have list of items which I suggest you purchase before your brachioplasty.  Please be sure you have your brachioplasty by an experienced, expert board certified plastic surgeon who has performed hundreds of arm lifts or brachioplasties.  I hope I have answered your questions about your post-operative care after a brachioplasty.  If you have any more questions about an arm lift or brachioplasty, please call my office.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

You will need help for the first week with all your daily routines, I recommend that your arms are immobilized,  straight and elevated to avoid excess swelling.Moving them and bending them too soon can cause delays in healing and wound opening, you need to do as little as possible, best of luck!

Eileen Summer Black, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Most patients need assistance with laundry and bigger things such as cleaning the house for 1-2 weeks after surgery.  You will be walking around and able to feed yourself immediately.  You should probably have some help the first few days with showering and dressing.  Overall, Most people say the 
surgery is not very  painful but feel that their arms are "tight" and that is 
uncomfortable.  Hope
 this helps.  Best of luck.

Gregory Baum, MD · Answer

Your PS should have gone over everything you will need postop but typically you will need some help with bathing, laundry, and other activities of daily living. You may or may not have drains that need to be emptied and the amounts recorded. You will likely not be able to drive for 3-7 days so you will need someone to drive you to your early postop appointments. You should be up and walking around so you don’t get muscle cramps or a blood clot in your legs/lungs. If you have any questions then you should definitely contact your PS office to clear things up further. I hope this was helpful.

Lane Smith, MD · Answer

Our office would recommend you have assistance at home for a week. You can do most things assisted. Feeding yourself should not be an issue. You may need help getting in and out of bed, assistance in the shower as you may be woozy, assistance getting dressed. If you have drains you would need assistance with these. Keeping the arms elevated is recommended the first few days. You can also ice them to help with pain and swelling. Thankfully majority of patients tolerate this procedure very well. Wish you the best of luck and speedy recovery!

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

It's always a good idea to have someone stay with you post op for help with everyday activities you've listed.Especially with pain meds, etc you shouldn't be alone the first night. This should be discussed with your plastic surgeon before your surgery.

James Knoetgen, III, MD · Answer

After brachioplasty (arm lift) and breast lift surgeries, you may need assistance with activities that involve arm movement or lifting. Tasks like reaching high shelves, lifting heavy objects, or performing strenuous exercises may be challenging initially. It’s important to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions and attend any recommended physical therapy sessions to aid in your recovery. Additionally, you may require support in daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and other activities that involve arm mobility. It’s crucial to have a support system in place for the initial recovery period.

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

You are best to have someone stay with you for the first week and try to limit your arm movements. You are preparing well but you will need some help in the bathroom and with the garments.

Rainer E. Sachse, MD · Answer

The amount of help you will need depend strongly on your general condition as well as how your surgery was performed. I generally recommend that somebody you trust stays with you the first night- more or less for safety, thereafter it has been my experience that patients do extremely well and don't need any further assistance. This might be different if the patient has a significant preexisting medical problem -however  in this situation I would  advise against elective cosmetic surgery to start of..

What will I need help with after brachioplasty and breast lift?

Answers (16)

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