What To Do When Recovering From An Arm Lift Body Contouring Procedure
Get Lots Of Rest
An arm lift is a significant surgical procedure that your body will need time to recover from. Getting plenty of sleep so your body has time to repair itself is an incredibly important part of the healing process. You should also avoid any strenuous activity that requires the use of the arm muscles. This means avoiding exercises such as push-ups and weight lifting for at least a month, as well as other at-home work, such as vacuuming.
Stay Active
Although you will need to avoid strenuous exercise for about a month after surgery, you still need to stay active. Try to walk often to help keep your blood circulating, as this will help you heal faster. It will also help you get back into your workout routine once you’ve healed.
Hydrate
Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, will help you heal faster. Staying hydrated can help to limit the risk of blood clots while also boosting the immune system to aid in recovery. Drinking water shortly after your body contouring surgery is also very beneficial, as it can help to flush toxins from the anaesthesia out of your body.
Avoid Pushing With Your Arms
Although you already know to avoid exercise after arm lift body contouring surgery, you should also be cautious of using your arm muscles too much in general. When you get out of bed in the morning or if you get up from sitting on the floor or a low chair, it is common to use your arms to push yourself up. After an arm lift surgery, avoid this type of pushing with your arms. Instead, let your feet dangle off the bed first and then slowly raise yourself using your core muscles.
Avoid Heat
The nerves in your arms will likely be quite sensitive after arm lift surgery. This will make the area near the incision sensitive to heat, so avoid heating pads on the area of treatment for about 6 months after surgery. If you try to use a heating pad near the incision, it may feel very hot and can irritate the skin.
Keep Cool
To help reduce swelling, use ice that does not come into direct contact with the skin. Cooling the body contouring treatment area will help to reduce the swelling and to relieve pain, but it’s important that you don’t put the ice right on the skin or that you let the skin get too cold. Doing either of these can irritate or even damage the skin. Instead, wrap your ice in a towel so that it has a barrier between it and your skin and so it’s not as cold. When icing your incision area, your skin should be cool to the touch but it should not be cold, nor should it feel numb.
Get Arm Lift Body Contouring In Kelowna
If you want sleek, toned arms, arm lift surgery can help you achieve the look you desire. If you are interested in this body contouring treatment, you will first need to consult with a highly experienced plastic surgeon so that you can understand the risks and benefits before the procedure. When you schedule a consultation at Peterson MD, Dr. Peterson will explain the recovery process and what you will need to do and to avoid to make your recovery as fast and as comfortable as possible. At the consultation, you can bring up any concerns you may have while also discussing the outcome you seek. If you are interested in an arm lift body contouring procedure, contact Peterson MD at 1-250-868-9099 or fill out the online contact form.
FAQ
Q: How long will recovery from an arm lift body contouring procedure take?
A: Recovery will depend on your own body, but the average recovery time is between 2 and 3 weeks. It may take longer for all signs of bruising to dissipate and longer for any potential scarring to fade. During this time, make sure to keep your blood pressure low and avoid strenuous physical activity.
Q: What exactly is body contouring?
A: Body contouring refers to various surgeries that target specific areas of your body to permanently remove safe amounts of fat deposits. This leaves the treated areas with mostly toned flesh, greatly improving your shape. To learn more, read Body Contouring 101.
Q: Are there any risks associated with arm lift plastic surgery?
A: Just like with any surgery, an arm lift surgery does come with some risks. Your plastic surgeon will discuss these with you so you can make an informed decision. Some of these risks include:
- Scarring
- Bleeding and infection
- Anaesthesia risks
- Numbness or other changes in skin sensation in the treatment area
- Damage to your nerves, blood vessels, and/or muscles in the treatment area
- Increased risk of developing blood clots
During your consultation, ensure that you address any concerns and questions you have regarding your treatment with your plastic surgeon.