What brand of compression garment do you recommend after a brachioplasty? (Photo)

Hello, thank you for your question regarding what kind of compression garment you should get after your arm lift, arm reduction, or brachioplasty.  Every plastic surgeon does things little bit differently. In my plastic surgery practice, I perform a lot of brachioplasties. The brachioplasty procedure takes approximately three four hours under general Anesthesia. During a brachioplasty, arm liposuction is performed.  Then,  typically, an incision is made from the armpit to the elbow.  Then, an elliptical area of upper arm skin and fat is removed. The incision is closed in many layers with absorbable sutures. I seal the skin with Dermabond or medical grade crazy glue. Dressings are placed and then a compression ACE bandage is placed from your hands to your armpits. Typically, I have my patients use the ACE bandages for about two weeks. Once the incision is moderately healed and a patient is able to pull the arm garments on (not an easy task), the patient is given arm garments. You should plan to wear your arm garments for about 6 to 8 weeks or until the swelling is gone and the scar is flat. I have tried many arm garment brands. The brand I like the best is called Marena. You can find them online.  Call them and give them your arm measurements. They should be able to send your arm garment in one or two days. I do not think your arm swelling after your brachioplasty caused this breakdown. Also, I do not think you could have avoided your arm wound breakdown by wearing arm garments earlier.   I hope that I have answered your questions about the different types of arm lift garment and wound breakdown after an arm lift.    If you have any more questions regarding the arm lift, please contact my office. When searching for an arm lift specialist, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant expertise in arm reduction surgery.  Demand to see many before and after pictures of patients just like yourself on forums like RealSelf and their website.  Check out patient reviews of your chosen plastic surgeon on forums like RealSelf.  Thank you.  Sincerely, J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS, FICS, FASMBS. (Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and fellow of the American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery).

There are many brands that will work.  I often direct my clients to order compression garments online to save costs.  Marena and Jobst are good brands for many procedures and can be ordered in this manner.  Many pharmacies have sleeves that can be purchased over the counter after brachioplasty surgery. Ace wraps can be used as well.  I've even had people buy an elastic compression stockings and cut the foot off, which seems to work pretty well, too!  

Some of my patients find that Ace bandages work fine as compression garments can a bit tight and uncomfortable.  Because your PS has referred you to a wound specialist, ask for the wound specialist's recommendation for the appropriate compression garment.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for your picture and questions. Although complications such as this can happen with arm lift surgery, there is absolutely no question that your plastic surgeon should be handling this for you! I suspect that you did not choose a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and I would encourage you to find one ASAP to help you through this complication.That being said, I always use compression garments after brachioplasty surgery and I have provided a link of one that I often use. However, this will not fix the problem and you need to be followed by a physician who can advise you properly and offer you the care you need.Best of luck!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Dear flufferdoodle,every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon and wound specialist.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello, and thank you for your question. (Keep in mind that an in-person consultation is necessary for the best advice.) There are many brands of compression garments. They differ slightly in their sizing. They also differ in their material. Many medical supply stores have these products, will size you, and will guide you to the most appropriate fitting and most comfortable garment for you. Best of luck!
Matthew A. DelMauro, M.D.

Your surgeon should be your "wound specialist" and if they are not, then they may not actually be a properly credentialed surgeon.  Compression is recommended following brachioplasty in order to help with edema (swelling) and support the incision.  However, if you have an open wound, I would not recommend compression until the wound has progressed.  If it is in fact open, then . you should probably performing dressing changes at least 2-3 times daily.  Once the wound is closed (granulated) then you may resume compression.I recommend Medico International.  They have a very helpful sales staff that can help selecting and sizing a proper compression garment over the phone.

Thank you for your questions as well as the photos. I am sorry to hear about the wound healing complications, which are common in brachioplasty. I place steri-strips at the end of the procedure to keep tension off of the incisions, to act as a cast. Then once all drapes are removed, I wrap my patients arms in ACE wraps. This will keep compression on the area, preventing the incision from stretching and incisions from pulling apart. They are easier to apply/remove than a long sleeve compression shirt, or compression sleeves and in my opinion are more effective because you're able to adjust them as needed inside of a one-size fits all theory. I would recommend visiting your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to get their opinion on where to go from here. Good luck and best wishes!