When Can You Go Back to Work After a Full Arm Lift? I Am a Dental Assistant. Thank You.

Hi Dollila, Thank you for your question regarding when you can return to work as a dental assistant after undergoing a full arm lift. Typically, patients who undergo an arm lift can return to work as a dental assistant at about two to three weeks. Several different names, including arm reduction and the medical term brachioplasty, are also used for the arm lift procedure. The brachioplasty is performed under general anesthesia and takes about three to four hours to complete. Initially, for the first two weeks, dressings and ACE bandages are used from the wrists to the armpits. To decrease swelling, your post-operative position will be with your arms and wrists elevated above your heart, keeping your elbows straight. Opening and closing your hands is encouraged to further decrease swelling. After about two weeks, you are placed in a medical-grade arm garment. The arm lift garment is used to minimize swelling, flatten the arm lift scar, and provide physical support for the healing tissues. You are encouraged to wear your arm garment for about six to eight weeks. You can work with the arm garment under regular clothing. Approximately six to eight weeks after your arm lift, you can begin applying silicone cream and strips. Good luck with your arm lift. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding the arm reduction. If you have any further questions regarding arm lift, arm reduction, brachioplasty, or arm crease fat grafting, please contact an experienced plastic surgeon. To get an accurate assessment of what exactly you need, schedule a free virtual consultation to evaluate your arms for a potential arm lift. Most plastic surgeons offer free virtual consultations. 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 150 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, MD, MBA. (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, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

I tell people it will take 3-6 weeks to feel normal. So plan on 3 weeks to get back to work but you will probably still need to wear a garment at the office

-Usually, patients that use their arms a lot like you do at work will take at least two weeks off of work postoperatively.  Some patients will take three weeks off.

-It takes weeks for the swelling to go down completely.  Also, if you go back to work too early, you may notice that at the end of the day your arms will hurt and be more swollen.  The results of the operation won't be impacted, but you'll just be sore.

-Definitely meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to find our more!

Your plastic surgeon will be your best guide when it comes to returning to work. He/she knows how your progressing,  exactly what your work duties involve, and is ultimately responsible for your care.

 Having said that, most of my patients are able to return to a desk job 7 to 10 days after arm lifting surgery.  More strenuous/active occupations (such as yours) may benefit from 3 to 4 weeks of time off. Sometimes patients are able to arrange modified duties and return to work earlier.

 Best wishes.

A brachioplasty is essentially an upper arm lift. In this procedure, the excess hanging skin and fat in the upper arm is removed. Its the procedure used to correct the common "bat wing" of skin that manifests in patients who have lost a significant amount of weight.   Most of my patients are able to get back to a desk job 5-7 days after surgery.  However, I recommend no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 3-4 weeks.   If an upper trunk lift is involved, I may recommend holding off working out (heavy lifting/strenuous activity) for 5-6 weeks.  

 

Best wishes,

Dr. Basu

Houston, TX

The main problem with healing following brachioplasty is usually in the armpit due to the skin being frequently moist. The positions you would be in could but undue strain on this area and result in wound separation if you return too soon. Three weeks is usually adequate time to take off if healing is proceeding normally. If you can arrange a lighter shedule the first couple of days you are back, that will help.

Hello and thank you for your question.

I would think with your type of work that you should wait between 3-4 weeks before going back to work.  I think you will be a little uncomfortable if you go back to work any sooner.

Regards

Stephen Salerno