What to expect after brachioplasty, time off work, assistance needed, etc?

I had the brachiplasty along with BL and back skin removal.  I needed less than a week off.  I had my surgery on friday, and was working from home on monday.  I could have gone into the office except for those darn flapping drains in my elbows, and the fact that i wanted to be 48 hours free of pain pills before driving.  Drains came out on Wednesday, I went back to work on Thursday.  My only discomfort came from my back incision.  I needed to have some padding behind my back in the car. Re help.  Personal hygiene was not a problem for me.  Showering was fine, but I did have DH around to help me the first time, since I needed to get the bandages and wadding off.  You will need someone not too squeemish to help with that.  But your PS might not allow you to shower until the dressings are removed in the office.  So it might not be an issue for you. I figure my teenage daughter is probably about the level of help your roomate might be.  While I needed help with shampooing, my husband did it in the shower.  Your roommate could probably shampoo you  at the kitchen sink for without freaking out.  And hey, there are plenty of discount hair places out there that will shampoo you for a couple of bucks.  I know my hair dresser offered to let me come in for a shampoo anytime during my recovery and all I would need to do was tip the shampoo girl.    You could check with them. Putting on my compression sleeves was a challenge, but I really only needed help connecting the velcro tabs across my back.  Again, that's something I imagine your roomate could help you with -- my teenage daughter did it for me when DH was at work.  And, of course, there is the reaching and lifting stuff.  You can minimize that by putting frequently used items -- plates, glasses, coffee mugs, food items -- at reachable level for a week or two.

Thanks again...I figure I can count on my roommate to help me food and that's about it...lol. My other friend who has offered to let me stay with her has gone through a lot, even wound care, so she isn't squimish in the least. But you know I don't want to impose on her for too much...so trying to figure out when I could be home and maybe just have a friend stop by during the day, etc. I am also good friends with my occupational therapist...so she might stop in to help with my wrapping. And my hairdresser...oh yes...I'm also sure I could set up getting a wash there and maybe like you described just paying the shampoo girl.

Sarah, I agree with the other posts - washing & drying hair is a pain the first 2 weeks (I wasn't allowed to lift my hands above my head) but other hygine & grooming things weren't an issue.  However, I hated the ace bandages b/c they shifted everytime I bent my elbows.  So I ordered the compression sleeves from makemeheal.com  They weren't too expensive (less than $50, I think) and were much more comfortable to wear.  After I healed & began using the silicone scar strips the compression sleeves were great b/c they helped hold the scar strips in place.  Keep me posted on your surgery! Vickie J. PS - Saw Dr. Shuster on Wed - all is well & I'm doing great!!  My new boobies are gorgeous!!

Thanks Vickie and glad to hear things are well and that the girls are GREAT?