Arm liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used to slim and contour the arm, making it the perfect option if you’re dealing with stubborn areas of fat that aren’t responding to diet and / or exercise. If you’re considering this procedure, you might be wondering about the recovery period that comes after your arm liposuction.
Arm Liposuction Recovery
The recovery period after an arm liposuction procedure is generally well tolerated by most patients. It consists of a little soreness and bruising, and you’ll be required to rest your arms for approximately four to five days after the liposuction has been performed. Complete recovery time is about four weeks.
The Stages of Arm Liposuction Recovery
There are some different aspects of your arm liposuction recovery that you should take into consideration. There will be some things you can start to do again within four to five days, but it can take weeks to regain full movement and appreciate the results of your procedure.
Managing Pain and Discomfort
The amount of fat that is removed from your arms during liposuction will often impact how much pain you feel afterwards. Many doctors will prescribe their patients pain medication prior to leaving the office, to help with the aftereffects. There are also people who find they can easily manage their discomfort with over-the-counter acetaminophen. Most doctors will recommend that you avoid taking Ibuprofen right after your surgery, as it can increase your risk of bleeding.
Wearing Compression Garments
Compression garments help the recovery process after liposuction.
You’ll wear one compression sleeve on each arm, as this will keep you more comfortable as you heal. Compression garments can also help shape your arms as you heal, so you get the results that you’re looking for. The external pressure that compression wear provides, can help keep swelling to a minimum. This speeds up your overall arm liposuction recovery period. Most doctors will recommend that you wear them for at least one full week after your procedure.
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Activity Restrictions
As long as everything went smoothly, you should be able to return to work within a few days of your procedure. However, you will be advised by your surgeon to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for six weeks. If you don’t follow these recommendations, this could impact the healing of your surgical site as well as the final results. It’s a good idea to listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel comfortable, avoid doing it until you can touch base with your doctor during a follow up appointment.
Swelling and Bruising
You can expect swelling and bruising to stick around for about 10 to 14 days after arm lipo. Some people’s bodies tend to hang on to inflammation longer than others, so you may need to plan for some discomfort for a few more weeks after that point. If your job doesn’t involve any kind of heavy lifting or labor, you should have no problem getting back to work in a few days. You can help minimize swelling and bruising by utilizing the compression garments that your doctor recommended.
Regaining Range of Motion and Strength
Initially, you’ll be advised to let your arms rest and heal. Once you start to feel better, there are arm exercises that you can utilize to regain some of your range of motion and strength. This includes things like walking, tricep extensions and tricep dips.
Incisions and Scar Management
Scarring is something that is inevitable any time you have surgery performed, but the incisions that are used for arm liposuction are very small. Your surgeon will also attempt to place these incisions in areas that aren’t highly visible, such as the underside of your arm. As long as you keep these incisions clean and use an antibiotic ointment until they are healed, you should notice very minimal scarring afterwards.
Returning to Normal Activities
Your surgeon will ask that you come back into the office for a follow up appointment, around the one-week point of your healing journey. This is to ensure that the swelling is starting to go down and the incisions are healing. At this point, you may be advised to take off your compression garments for good and start back with some light activity.
If you have any concerns regarding arm liposuction recovery, you should reach out to your doctor at any time. Listen closely to what your body is telling you. If something still feels very sore and uncomfortable, avoid it. You should be completely back to normal life within four weeks.
Monitoring Progress and Healing
It may be hard to monitor the results and progress of your arm liposuction at first, especially if you’re still wearing compression garments. However, your doctor will schedule a follow up appointment to check your progress, and you can keep an eye on your results as you go through the healing process. You will see the final outcome at about one to three months post-op.
Potential Complications and Risks
Any surgical procedure comes with a certain degree or risks and potential complications, but this is typically a very safe option for achieving slender and toned arms. The most commonly reported issues include hematomas, seromas, infection, poor skin retraction, waviness after healing, contour deformity and ulnar nerve injury.
Maintaining Results with a Healthy Lifestyle
If you would like to retain the results of your arm lipo procedure, you’ll want to maintain a healthy lifestyle moving forward. This includes eating right and exercising on a regular basis. You don’t want to gain any weight back, as this can lead to more fat accumulating on your arms. Liposuction is only a long-term solution if you can manage your BMI.
If you would like to learn more about an arm liposuction procedure, reach out to the staff at Boutinic Aesthetics. We would be happy to bring you in for a consultation with one of our experienced doctors, and they can answer any questions that you may have.
