How long after brachioplasty can I golf?

Question

I'm having a breast reduction and brachioplasty next week (January 17)! I am going to Hawaii at the first of April, and have my tee times scheduled! Is two and a half months realistically enough healing time to allow me to golf without damaging anything?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding activity after an arm lift or brachioplasty.  You must be quite an avid golfer! You state that you have two and a half months to heal. I believe this should be enough time to be able to play golf after a full brachioplasty. The brachioplasty procedure takes approximately 3 hours to perform. During an arm lift or brachioplasty, excess arm skin and fat are removed. Sometimes, a limited incision is made in the armpit. Sometimes, the incision is made from the armpit to the elbow. If you have a desk job, you should plan to take off about 2 weeks. If your job entails a significant amount of lifting, you should plan to take off 3 to 4 weeks. Postoperatively, it is important to wear your arm compression garments to minimize arm scarring and minimize swelling. When you are in Hawaii, it is very important to keep the scars protected from the sun, either by wearing a shirt to your elbows or wearing a high SPF Factor sunblock. Either way, I hope you have a great time. If you have any further questions regarding arm reduction, brachioplasty, or healing after an arm lift, please contact my office. Aloha and Mahalo!
  
Sincerely,
  
Dr. Katzen

Marie E. Montag, MD · Answer

A brachioplasty is an excellent procedure for re-contouring the upper arm. It removes excess skin and fat from the elbow all the way up to the axilla (armpit). This tightens the tissue and gets rid of the sag. To remove the skin does require an incision all along the inner arm and into the axilla. You trade having a scar for a much better contour. Where that scar is located is relatively hidden, but it is in an area that moves and stretches a lot as you move your arms. In order to allow healing and prevent popping stitches and the wound opening up, it is essential to avoid lifting, stretching and reaching with your arms. You have to keep your arms held against your sides. I always tell people to pretend like you are a t-rex and just move at the elbows and wrists, but keep your upper arm next to your chest. If you do this for the first 3 weeks things will start healing and get strengthened so that you can safely begin to be more active and move your arms more. Expect it to take about a month before you are allowed to lift 15lbs greater, and 6-8 weeks before you can do strenuous things with your arms, such as golf or tennis. All of this will depend on swelling and healing.
  
In your situation with the breast reduction and brachioplasty, the brachioplasty is the larger and tougher recovery due to the arm restrictions, but rest assured that by the time you are 2 ½ months out you should be fine for golfing in Hawaii. Have fun!!

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! For my patients, I recommend that they wait 6 weeks post brachioplasty procedure before golfing. When swinging the club, you are using a wide range of motion and it is best to wait until the incisions are fully healed, at 6 weeks, before performing this type of movement. I recommend that you discuss specific post operative instructions with your plastic surgeon. Best of luck!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I usually tell my patients to wait at least 6 weeks before doing any strenuous activities after surgery, follow your PS's advise  all surgeons have different post op care instructions.

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

Many of the operations that plastic surgeons do require about six weeks of healing before engaging in demanding physical activity. I would place golfing in this group. Usually, more gentle physical activity can be started in the first week or two and gradually increase to something such as golf.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your arm lift. I suggest to my patients about 8 to 12 weeks for something like golf. Each doctor has different protocols, so always check with your PS.Best wishes, Dr. ALDO

Scott W. Harris, MD, FACS · Answer

Well golf is my other passion and yes that's enough time to recover. I would recommend starting to putt at 2-4 weeks, chip at 3-5, and swing a club at 4-6. full swings at full speed will take 6-8 weeks, but yes make a few birdies for me...

Olga Bachilo, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I think you are planning well in advance and two and a half month should be sufficient to get you healed and back into normal activities as long as there are no complications along the way. Even if you still have small areas of healing at that time, you should be alright to golf. However, with any open wounds you would be advised to stay away from swimming. Hopefully everything will go well and you'll enjoy your trip in your new shape.
Sincerely,
Olga Bachilo, MD

Steven Varkony, MD · Answer

Each surgeon has their own post-operative recommendations.
We recommend consulting with your plastic surgeon regarding the exact
timetables for returning to work and strenuous activity. It’s important that
you follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions to ensure the best
results.

Russell G. Hendrick, Jr., MD · Answer

thank you for your question.  Each surgeon has his/ her own protocol but given that everything goes well post operatively 2 1/2 months should be sufficient to resume most normal activities.

How long after brachioplasty can I golf?

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