Hand swelling freaking me out! Had extended brachioplasty with BABL on December 2, 2014.....so it's been 8 days..early days yet.

Since you are just a little over a week post op and you just took off your compression garments , this can be what's causing this.  What type of activity are you doing at this point? If your arms aren't elevated it will make it worse.  I would put a couple pillows under each arm above your heart, as much as possible. I would also follow up with your Plastic Surgeon for re-assurance.

You are describing symptoms that can be common after an arm lift.  I cannot diagnose or treat you over the internet, so the best thing for you is to go see your Plastic Surgeon to let them evaluate you.That being said, nerve damage would not really cause your swelling.  The most common nerve to be injured in an arm lift would cause numbness on the inside of your forearm.Postoperative swelling is most often due to tight compression garments on the upper arms and then looser garments (and often times no garments at all) on the forearms and hands.  Body fluid needs to get back to your heart by traveling up your arms, so if there is a tight compression on the upper arms the fluid will tend to stay where it is in the lower arms because it "backs up".Arm elevation above the level of your heart is a good start.  And using a compression garment that has equal pressure from the shoulder to the hands will help as well.  I typically wrap my postoperative arm lifts with ACE bandages making sure to place equal pressure from the shoulder to the hand up to your knuckles.  Yes, your swelling should resolve, especially since you are only 8 days out from your surgery.  But again, you need to make sure your Plastic Surgeon is aware that this is happening so he or she can officially tell you what to do.  Best of luck!