Brachoplasty Recovery Time-Driving Question

Hi All,

I am considering bracheoplasty and would like some feedback of recovery time and when I can drive. My surgery may include skin removal of my side boob. I had a full body lift and recovered well but I was 40, now I am 53. Thank you in advance.

Julie

haven't had that one yet (will in the spring), but I had an LBL at age 58 and was driving about 10 days later - once I was off my pain meds and feeling OK with sitting up for extended periods of time (or long enough to drive somewhere, anyway!). I suspect if anything, the recovery after brachioplasty will be easier. Hopefully someone who's had one will chime in.

For me, the largest factor to go back to driving was the narcotics, since you have to be off them for 24 hours before driving. And pain is so personal that it's hard to predict what someone else will need.

For me, my range of motion was an issue for around 10 days. Turning the steering wheel gave me sharp pains until then. Also, I remember going to the bank drive through around that time and how painful reaching for the tube was. Don't do that!! ;)

I had the surgery at 58, including the side - I think it was called flank - but my incision went from a few inches below my elbow up through my arm pit and the down to about the bottom of my bra, as well breast reconstruction on both sides. There were no muscles involved, so after the first few days, the pain was not intense, but the bandages were on - wrist to arm pit and I could not drive for about 10 days. I had to Uber to my 1 week checkin ($200RoundTrip). Also, I had to fight swelling at my elbow - so very limited computer time and I watched TV with my arms over my head. I was happy to have an electric recliner.