Why Do my Arms Feel Hard After Brachioplasty Surgery?

Question

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question about why your arms feel hard after brachioplasty surgery. During an arm lift/reduction or brachioplasty. A tumescent solution is injected into the arm. After this injection, liposuction is performed. Then, excess skin and fat from the arm are directly removed. Like any other surgery, there is swelling after the surgery. After the swelling subsided. There is a period where the arms are firm and complex; this is, I believe, what you are feeling. This takes approximately 3-4 weeks to settle and then becomes soft. Regular massage, lymphatic, and compression garments can help loosen and minimize swelling. I believe you need to give your arms a little more time to heal before coming to any conclusions regarding the firmness of the arms. Please consult your plastic surgeon if you are overly concerned about the hardness of your arms. However, I believe this is due to the swelling immediately after your surgery. Remember again; it takes approximately 6-8 weeks for the swelling to go down after an arm lift. 
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.)

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Induration and hardness are components of the normal healing process.  If there is anything suggestive of a fluid collection, hematoma, infection, or blood clot see your plastic surgeon.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Robert F. Centeno, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Armlift procedures remove skin, fat and temporarily disrupt some of the arms lymphatic channels. This makes it difficult for swelling to leave the arms which tend to be dependent.  This swelling makes the arms feel hard.  It will resolve with time. In the meantime, you should keep your arms elevated with pillows above your heart.  If the swelling is severe or uncomfortable, you can consider compression sleeves for the arms.  They are available on line at compression garment companies.  Good luck with your recovery!

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

-It is common after a brachioplasty (arm lift) operation to have a lot of swelling in the arms that can take weeks to fully resolve.  This could be the reason that your arms feel firm.  

	-Massage, time, and keeping the arms elevated as much as possible, all seems to help with this swelling. 

	-Definitely, check with your plastic surgeon and have him/her examine your arms as you may find this reassuring as well.  

	Take care!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the arm lifting surgery. Unfortunately,  without more information in your question, it is not possible to provide you with specific thoughts/advice. If you have specific concerns about your postoperative course or results you will be better off addressing these concerns with your plastic surgeon in person.

	Best wishes.

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Why Do my Arms Feel Hard After Brachioplasty Surgery?

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Answer: Recovery after Brachioplasty

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