How Long After a Full Brachioplasty Can Arm Exercise, Specifically Yoga, Be Resumed?

Great question. Many people want to resume exercise as soon as possible after surgery, but its important to allow adequate time for incisions to heal. Typically by 4 weeks, you can resume light activity (ie walking). More vigorous activity (ie yoga) which involves more stretching of the arms and armpit areas (think "down dog", "warrior poses" etc.), will require a longer time to resume, usually 6 - 8 weeks. Before resuming any exercise program after surgery, check with your surgeon to make sure that everything has healed properly and your cleared for exercise. As hard as it is, always err on the side of caution. If it hurts, hold off another week. Remember to listen to your body. Good luck.

Thank you for your question regarding when you can resume exercise after a full brachioplasty or arm lift/reduction. Most patients are generally healed by approximately 4-6 weeks after arm lift or arm reduction. During that time, gentle massage can be applied. You should be able to resume complete arm activities in approximately 6-8 weeks. If, however, your incision is compromised. Your return to activity will be extended. During the recovery period after your arm lifts, it is essential to apply compression. Your plastic surgeon will guide you on this. Typically, arm compression is applied for approximately six weeks to minimize swelling and optimize results. Compression also helps to flatten the scar and provides stability to healing. Thank you for your question regarding when you can resume exercise after a full brachioplasty or arm lift/reduction.
I specialize in arm lifts. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding the arm reduction. If you have any more questions regarding the arm lift, arm reduction, brachioplasty or arm crease fat grafting, please contact my office. Since a brachioplasty or arm lift surgery is a difficult procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of arm lifts. Do your research. Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 arm lifts. Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Brachiooplasty recovery varies from patient to patient and depends upon a variety of factors including the type of procedure performed, the patient's wound healing characteristics and the patient's overall health.The vast majority of patients are able to resume normal activities in 2 to 3 weeks following surgery. Strenuous activity, yoga and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least 6 to 8 weeks following this procedure.If you're considering brachioplasty, it's important to discuss post-operative activity with your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to outline an exercise regimen that doesn't adversely impact your surgical result.