Unable to Lift my Arms over my Head 5 Wks After Brachioplasty, Normal?

Question

My left arm has good movement but my right arm is very sore and movement is limited when raising my arm over my head. How can I improve this? I have been massaging the scar and muscle area but nothing seems to work. HELP

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding the fact that you are five weeks after your brachioplasty and still unable to lift your arms over your head. This is not normal. However, you are still healing. It takes six to eight weeks to heal form a brachioplasty fully. Even then, some patients are not entirely healed. Since you lack the range of motion, you need to stretch this area. Once you are given clearance from your plastic surgeon, II aggressively stretches this area. I would wait til you're well healed. This can take 6-8 weeks after a brachioplasty. The best exercise would be to extend your arms over your head. Then grab your wrists. Then pull your wrists and slide your elbow behind your head. Flex from side to side at your waist. You should feel a pull in your armpit. You are pulling and stretching the good scar tissue. This is what you need. It would be best if you were very aggressive with this motion. Other exercises that can help include hanging from a pull-up bar, putting your arm over a chair, and holding a gallon of milk for an extended period. If these conservative measures do not work, you may need a physical or occupational therapist. These professionals can help with a range of exercises. If all else fails you may need either an injection of steroids or possibly even revision surgery. However, revision surgery is exceedingly rare. For now, I would focus on aggressive range of motion exercises at home and consider a physical therapist.
 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.)

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Limited shoulder range of motion is unusual following arm lift surgery. This problem can occur for a variety of reasons including musculotendinous injuries, nerve injuries and scar contractures across the axilla.When patients are unable to lift their arms over their head following brachioplasty, the problem is almost always related to axillary scarring. This problem occurs when an incision is made across the axilla. Exuberant scarring results in a flexion contracture which severely limits the ability to fully extend the arm.When this situation arises, a variety of treatment options are available to treat this deformity. In some cases, range of motion exercises will adequately address the problem. In more severe cases, local rearrangement of tissue is necessary to remove the axillary scar web. In the majority of cases, this is accomplished with a procedure known as a z-plasty.Patients who have axillary webbing following brachioplasty should consult their plastic surgeon. Their surgeon should be able to formulate a treatment plan that addresses this anatomic deformity and ultimately improves range of motion.

Siamak Agha, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

This is a common concern patients have post-armlift surgery. It is best to contact your operating surgeon and address this concern you have. You will need to be examined and may be given a set of movements to do with your arms that may help this. It takes about 4-6 weeks on average to heal from this procedure, but any concerns you may have should always be heard by your surgeon as this is essential to your healing.

	I have included a link below that may be of help to you. Best of luck.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	There are many reasons why patients may have decreased range of motion of an arm 5 weeks after arm lifting surgery.  The diagnosis and treatment plan is best made by the operating surgeon who can examine you directly. Specifically, examination of the incision line/scar closest to the axilla will be helpful.

	If everything is healing normally  range of motion exercises (crawling up the wall with your fingertips)  may be helpful. 

	Please  continue to follow with your plastic surgeon.

	Best wishes.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

5 weeks post op you need physical therapy or an aggressive range of motion routine. Return to your operative surgeon for care and advise.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

5 weeks after brachioplasty you should have healed by now. The limitation of motion of the arm can be due to many things. scars, frozen shoulder, swelling, muscle and nerve problems.

	See your plastic surgeon once all these reasons are ruled out, you may benifit from physical therapy

Unable to Lift my Arms over my Head 5 Wks After Brachioplasty, Normal?

Answers (6)

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