right arm having a bit more discomfort than left.

[gmt]

Just noticing... the right I feel the elbow a bit more and the bandage keeps sliding. I dont touch anything until I see PS on Tuesday the 6th. Just checking in to see if anyone else had anything like that. i think that the right is just plain used more and probably a little more achy from any use on computer, getting out of bed etc..

[guru]

I had my bilateral brachioplasty Nov.28 and immediately post op and still now, I have much more pain in my right arm than my left. I am assuming it is because I am right handed and use my right arm more. The right arm is also more swollen and bruised than the left.The PS says this is normal. I also have quite a bit of fluid retention throughout my body, has anyone else had this problem and if so how long does it last?

[acer]

Just wanted to reply to you both, and try to reassure you both that what you are describing is 'natural' considering the surgery you went through so recently. Both the swelling of the whole body from fluid retention after surgery and the fact that one arm is feeling or healing differently from the other are both common occurances. In addition to the issue of one arm being used more than the other, there may have been minor differences in the surgery for one arm vs the other. One arm may have had more skin to remove if you also had some lipo along with the actual surgery and one arm may have been shaped slightly differently requiring a slight difference in surgical technique. This will all even out as you proceed with your recovery, but always stay in close touch with your surgeon and feel free to ask as many questions as you need to in order to be reassured regarding your concerns. I am about six months post op and had both these issues, the body swelling and the differences between how my arms healed, and it all has worked out fine given time and recovery. Take care.

[guru]

I tend to think you both are right about the right arm being the more dominent and used more is a very likely thing that it would have a bit of different type of discomfort.

Nicgirlrn, are you drinking a ton of water and maybe some pineapple juice? Have you had a good bm? I think those two things are a big reason for retaining fluid. I haven;t noticed much water retention, dont know that the bm made any difference at all, but I did feel a little lighter after finally going yesterday that means probably 5 days without one. When is your next appt with the PS? I go tomorrow and my surgery was the 30th. Did your PS wrap you to up and no bandage changes until you see him/her again? Thatis what mine did. So I cant really see if I have much retention I am just guessing from how I feel and that could be inacurrate. I will know more tomorrow, and I'll check back.

maajida,
Thanks for your wisdom and concern in the situation, it is so nice to have others as you say that have gone before. Talk to you later, still taking it pretty easy, yesterday was day 5 pre-op and a big day out for me. My honey and I went to church and the grocery store and to have a cappucino at starbucks... which I love to do! Slept good. Only took one pian med the past two nights to help sleep, would like to try sleeping without that tonight and see how I do. Can start to feel my stitches on my nipples (as I had a BR at the same time) and a little under my armpit but nothing much, cant wait to see under the bandages tomorrow!!!

[gmt]

I went to my PS today, he starting removing staples today. I expressed my concern about the fluid I am retaining and he doesn't seem very concerned, at least not as concerned as I am. I am uncomfortable in my fingers and toes with the extra fluid and also a little upset to see the weight gain from all the extra fluid. I know that I am not drinking enough water and should probably drink more. I must admitt that since surgery I really don't have much of an appetite or even a desire to drink. I'm still feeling blah! Thanks for your care and concern. I wish you a speedy recovery.

[acer]

I am not sure how much post surgery you are, but it can take a long time to get rid of the swelling and fluid retention and post surgery wt. gain. I know it's upsetting, esp. if you have wt. related issues like I do, as I have been working on a 100 pound wt. loss. Was at minus 90 at the time of my surgery 6 mos. ago, and I know it was more than disconcerting to see how long it took for my body to rid itself of all the fluid after my own surgery. BUT it does happen, honestly! And with time and patience, I know you will be ok. Take care and keep checking in here and accessing the support that is available to you, as well as continuing to stay in close touch with your plastic surgeon and asking questions about anything that continues to concern you.

[melmel]

Originally Posted by gmt

Just noticing... the right I feel the elbow a bit more and the bandage keeps sliding. I dont touch anything until I see PS on Tuesday the 6th. Just checking in to see if anyone else had anything like that. i think that the right is just plain used more and probably a little more achy from any use on computer, getting out of bed etc..

Using it more is going to dislodge the bandage more and make the arm sorer. As long as it is still getting better, then you are likely fine. Of course, you can always have your doctor look at it.

[sacback]

Unfortunatlye you are going to fell discomfort becuase you use this arm. But the only way you should worry is if you are seeing no improvement in your arm. Thats the biggest issue you should focus on.

[illuseesion]

I thought I was going to die when I first got my brachioplasty. I stayed in pain as well as drugged up but I mean you have to understand that the better your arm gets. the more painful it's going to be for a minute. I know it sounds crazy but it's the truth.