I'm 15 days post-op from a brachioplasty. I'm experiencing "deep" numbness in the lower part of my left forearm.

Question

I'm 15 days post-op from a brachioplasty. I'm experiencing "deep" numbness in the lower part of my left forearm; from the elbow to a few inches short of the wrist. My incisions go from my armpit to my elbow. No incisions on the forearm. I had the procedure to excise skin after massive weight loss. I'm concerned that the numbness will not go away. Am I worrying too soon? Is there anything I can do? Are there Neurologists who can treat sensory nerve "damage?"

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.You are very early in the healing process. It is very common for there to be numbness after surgery, due to disruption in the sensory nerves during surgery.  As you continue to heal the numbness should start to resolve for you. It can take 6 months sometimes longer for the sensory nerves to go back to normal. Good luck with healing.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Have you seen your operative surgeon for this issue? If yes, what did he/she say? Could be swelling or at worst a nerve compression. But only in person examinations allow a dx to be made.

Thomas Crabtree, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Two weeks is still very early in the recovery period. It is common to have numbness in the upper part of the arm after brachioplasty. This can sometimes last for several weeks even a few months but almost always fully resolves. Numbness in the forearm is less common but still occurs. It is often due to the temporary trauma and swelling from the surgery but can also be due to discrete fluid collections (hematoma, seromas and lymphoceles) pushing on tissue. It may also be due to any compression garment you may be wearing. Please follow up with your surgeon to make sure this isn't the case. Aloha,Dr C

I'm 15 days post-op from a brachioplasty. I'm experiencing "deep" numbness in the lower part of my left forearm.

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I'm 15 days post-op from a brachioplasty. I'm experiencing "deep" numbness in the lower part of my left forearm.

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Arm Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.