Body Lift Surgery Guide
Please read these instructions carefully after your brachioplasty (arm lift) surgery at Evita Clinic. Proper recovery care helps reduce swelling, protect the incision, support scar healing, and improve your final arm contour.
Most Important Notes
- Rest with your arms supported on pillows. While sitting or lying down, place pillows under your forearms so your arms rest slightly above heart level.
- This does not mean raising your hands above your head. Comfortable pillow support helps reduce swelling without placing tension on the incision.
- Avoid overhead reaching. Do not repeatedly raise your arms above shoulder level during early healing.
- Wear your compression garment as instructed.
- Attend all scheduled follow-up visits.
Recovery Timeline
Rest, Walk Lightly, and Protect the Drains
- Rest with your forearms supported on pillows.
- Walk lightly every few hours to support circulation.
- Take prescribed medications as directed.
- Surgical drains are usually placed during surgery and removed the next day.
- Keep the drain tubing secured and avoid pulling on it.
Protect the Incisions
- Avoid raising your arms above shoulder level.
- Avoid heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or sudden stretching.
- Wear your compression garment as instructed.
- Continue gentle walking.
Gradual Improvement
- Swelling and bruising gradually improve.
- You may slowly increase light daily activities.
- Continue avoiding strenuous upper-body exercise.
- Follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding arm movement.
Return to Normal Daily Activities
- Most patients can gradually return to normal daily activities.
- Light exercise may be resumed if approved by your surgeon.
- Avoid activities that place strong tension on the scars.
Long-Term Recovery
- Most patients may gradually resume normal exercise.
- Scars continue to mature over several months.
- Final results may take several months to become fully apparent.
Arm Position and Activity Restrictions
During early healing, excessive arm movement may place tension on the incision and increase the risk of wound separation or wider scars.
- Avoid repeatedly raising your arms above shoulder level.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects.
- Avoid pushing, pulling, or reaching overhead.
- Be careful when washing your hair, dressing, or reaching for objects on high shelves.
- If your work requires frequent overhead arm movement, allow additional recovery time before returning.
Hand Swelling and Finger Exercises
Swelling of the hands and fingers is common after brachioplasty and usually improves gradually.
Gentle finger movement helps lymphatic circulation and may reduce swelling and stiffness.
Jam-Jam Exercise
- Open your hand fully.
- Slowly make a gentle fist.
- Open your hand again.
- Repeat 10–20 times.
- Perform this exercise several times throughout the day.
Drain Management
Surgical drains are routinely placed during brachioplasty to remove excess fluid during early healing.
In most cases, drains are removed during your first postoperative visit on the day after surgery.
Please keep the drains secured and avoid pulling on the tubing until they are removed.
For detailed instructions, please review our drain care guide: Managing Your Surgical Drain
Compression Garment
Your compression garment helps reduce swelling and supports healing tissues.
- Wear the garment according to your surgeon’s instructions.
- Do not modify or excessively tighten the garment.
- Temporary tightness is normal, but severe pain, numbness, or circulation problems are not.
For more information, please review: Compression Garment Guide
Swelling, Tightness, and Sensation Changes
- Swelling and bruising are normal and may persist for several weeks.
- Tightness along the inner arm is common.
- Numbness or reduced sensation around the upper arm or armpit may occur.
- Most sensation changes improve gradually over time.
Driving and Returning to Work
- Avoid driving while taking prescription pain medication.
- Resume driving only when you can safely control the steering wheel and react quickly.
- Office work is often possible after 1–2 weeks.
- Physically demanding jobs may require 3–6 weeks or longer.
Scar Management
Brachioplasty leaves a long scar along the inner arm. Proper scar care is important for the best long-term result.
Steri-Strip Support
- Steri-Strips help reduce tension on the incision.
- They may help reduce scar widening during healing.
- Use them for the duration recommended by your surgeon.
Learn more: Steri-Strip & Incision Support Guide
Scar Gel and Silicone Therapy
- Scar gel or silicone products may be started after the incision is fully healed.
- Do not apply scar gel to open wounds or irritated skin.
- Scars continue to mature for 6–12 months or longer.
Learn more: Scar Management Guide
When Should I Contact Evita Clinic?
- Increasing redness or swelling around the incision
- Pus or foul-smelling drainage
- Persistent bleeding
- Significant wound separation
- Worsening numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in the fingers
- Difficulty moving your fingers or hand
- Fingers becoming pale, cold, or showing signs of poor circulation
- Sudden changes in hand or finger color
- One arm becoming significantly more swollen than the other
- Any concern about your recovery, wound condition, or arm circulation
Important Note
Recovery after brachioplasty requires patience. Avoid activities that place excessive tension on the incision, use pillow support to reduce swelling, wear your compression garment as instructed, and attend all scheduled follow-up visits.
Questions?
If you have questions about swelling, drains, compression garments, scar care, activity restrictions, or hand symptoms, please contact Evita Clinic.