What can I do about numb forearm after arm lift?

Hello, Thank you for your questions regarding post-op arm numbness and tingling in your forearms after an arm lift, arm reduction, or brachioplasty.  It is very important that you inform your plastic surgeon of these hand and forearm symptoms. Since he or she is your treating physician, they should be in charge of your care. With that said, temporary numbness and tingling of the forearm is very common after an arm lift. Compression of a nerve can cause numbness and tingling. Periodic numbness and then return of sensation with tingling is probably due to transient nerve compression. Your nerve compression after an arm lift can be from the tumescent solution, natural healing, or sometimes the arm bandages.  In your case, the numbness in your forearm is probably due to compression of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve. The tingling in your wrist is probably due to compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel or the ulnar nerve in Guyon’s canal. Since you describe sensation, in the form of tingling, I am confident that all sensation and function should soon return. If you described complete numbness and no tingling, then we would need to be concerned with nerve transection (which does not appear to be the case here). To minimize hand, wrist, and forearm numbness,  I would suggest elevation of your arms above your heart as well as arm compression garments. This arm position will help to minimize the swelling around the nerves. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding post-operative hand, wrist, and forearm numbness after an arm lift or brachioplasty. If you have any more questions regarding an arm lift, arm reduction, brachioplasty, arm liposuction, or plastic surgery in general, please contact my office.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen(Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member of the American Society Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and Fellow of American College of Surgeons and American Board for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Awardee: RealSelf 100.)

Changes in sensation near the operative site are from related nerves being stretched or swelling from the procedure. I encourage you to reach out to your surgeon's office for specific advice. Numbness typically resolves as healing progresses. Continue to follow your surgeon's instructions.

Swelling and numbness after an armlift can last up to six months or even a year.  Induration and hardness are components of the normal healing process.  If there is anything suggestive of a fluid collection, hematoma, infection, or blood clot, follow up with your PS.