someone please help me!

I just had brachioplasty Wed, May 21 and I'm in so much pain! Only when I'm under pain meds am I okay. I can barely sleep at night and elevating my arms at night hurts so bad. My hands are so swollen and my arms feel like someone is pinching them and squeezing them at the same time. I didn't have lipo and I do have drains. I feel like I'm never going to get better and I feel so depressed and disappointed. 

you had a major surgery.. it should get better day by day... in a mean time - yea - it hurts.. cry.. take pain pills and sleep. wake up,  walk, drink water , get proteins, take pain pills and sleep some more...

  HUGS

DITTO

I have not had it done, but everyone that I know says it is very painful, and just takes time.

Wishing you luck.

I saw Joan Collins on a talk show once and she said she has had every plastic surgery procedure that exists, except would not do brachioplasty.  It seems to be one of the most painful things to go through.  I am sure the results will be worth it.  Just take your pain meds and heal.

You had major surgery 2 days ago!  Of course you're in pain!

Thanks everyone. I feel a little better now. Also, I was 151 lbs the day of surgery and they said they took almost a pound from each arm (making me probably close to 149). I have been eating very healthy since the surgery and frankly, have not had much of an appetite. I get on the scale today and I've gained 3 lbs making me 154. How is that possible when they have removed so much skin from my arms AND I haven't eaten badly or that much for that matter? Can I be retaining fluids for some reason??? My goal weight is 137-140 and I seem to be getting farther from that instead of closer.

Yes, you are CERTAINLY retaining fluid!  That is what post-op swelling is.  Part of your body's healing mechanism when it senses injury is to flood the area with extra fluid. Also, you were likely given IV fluids during the surgery.

My arms hurt like hell for the first two weeks after I had it done.  I didn't have any drains, but the swelling (especially in my armpits) made every movement hurt.

As far as sleeping, I put a pillow lengthwise on both sides of my body and just slept on my back with each arm down at my sides on a pillow (so they were slightly bent in a very natural position -- sort of like the same position they would be in if you were sitting in a chair with them resting on the arm of the chair -- but raised up and cushioned by the pillows). It hurt too much to try to sleep with them any other way.

Some people say their brachioplasty didn't hurt much at all. It isn't pain on a level with a tummy tuck (OMG, that hurt SO much!), but those first two weeks were quite difficult.

Lora

Sorry for the slow reply, just logged in after a week so I'm just reading this now.
I'm not saying something is wrong, necessarily but I don't think you should be in this much pain. Hopefully you called your doctor/surgeon, they want to keep your pain under control.