Extreme weight loss and aging often lead to saggy skin, particularly on your thighs and arms. While excessive skin is not harmful, it can be unsightly, especially if you are self-conscious about your appearance. If dieting and regular exercises have been ineffective in eliminating the saggy skin in your upper arms, considering an arm lift Austin surgery comes in handy. This surgical procedure, also known as Brachioplasty, involves removing excess fat and skin between your elbow and upper arm. After recovery, which takes two to three weeks, your arms might look more toned, smooth, and lean. While recovery differs for every patient, it is important to follow these six tips, as explained below.
1. Avoid Heavy Lifting for About Six Weeks
Heavy lifting often targets your arm muscles, leading to the tearing of sutures after your arm lift surgery. As a result, your recovery period might prolong. Also, you might be at a greater risk of developing an infection in the treated area. If your daily activities involve strenuous or heavy lifting work, take a week off after the procedure to fasten your healing process. If you are still deciding which activities to avoid, consult your doctor.
2. Avoid Lifting Yourself Using Your Arms
While standing or getting up from bed is a must, avoiding supporting your body using your arms is best. Doing so can exert pressure on the treated area and lead to bleeding. Before getting up or standing, ensure your legs are dangling at the edge of your bed or chair for a few minutes. This step will help eliminate the possibility of dizziness and fainting. Also, avoid being stationary for long periods to stimulate circulation and reduce the risk of developing blood clots.
3. Maintain Proper Care to Your Incision
Always maintain proper care of your incision after your arm lift surgery. Ensure it is always clean and neat with regular changes of dressing. These steps will help minimize signs of infection. Also, avoid water contact with the freshly treated area for 48 hours after your arm lift surgery.
It is also crucial to protect the surgically treated area from direct harmful sun rays for at least a year. Ensure to dress in loose-fitting clothing to allow for aeration and blood circulation. This step will help prevent damaging friction or pressure on your upper arms.
4. Maintain a Proper and Healthy Diet
A proper and healthy diet is important during our arm-to-lift recovery process. After surgery, your body will need nutrients to regain energy to allow for a speedy recovery. Before the procedure, ensure your house is stacked with healthy foods and drinks. This step will allow easy accessibility of food for the first two weeks after your surgery. Also, eat healthily to avoid weight fluctuations during the recovery process.
5. Attend All Scheduled Appointments With Your Doctor
For effective and long-lasting results, ensure you attend all your appointments with your doctor. These appointments also help detect a potential infection risk and your treated area. It helps your doctor analyze your healing process and detect abnormal skin changes around the treated area. If you are still struggling with pain, your follow-up visits are the best time to communicate with your doctor.
An arm lift surgery is a major procedure that can help you reshape your arms without needing regular exercises. It offers dramatic results within a short period. However, you will still need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep an average and balanced weight.
It is also important to note that an arm lift surgery often leads to scarring. However, this scarring often fades off over time and becomes less visible. If you are concerned about developing unsightly scars, consult your doctor on various non-surgical treatments you can use to minimize the appearance of your scars.