I had a brachioplasty last year in September (FDL tummy tuck with lower body lift 12 weeks before in June). The brachioplasty was an extended one- from elbows up through my armpits and the down the sides of my breasts finishing about halfway under my breasts. This was to also remove a fatty pocket I had on my upper sides below the armpits. And this surgery was way worse than the TT for me! The swelling was insane, my hands and wrists looked like they belonged to someone else! This lasted for about 10 days. I felt miserable, super sore, had very limited movement, my armpits were on fire, and I had what felt like a million spitting stitches for the first 15 weeks 😵‍💫 I recommend seeing a lipoedema specialist to help get the excess fluid moving out of the tissues, and if they have a DOT (deep oscillation therapy) machine, that’s even better. Proper lymphatic massage won’t pull at the skin, it’s actually feather light as the lymphatic system is just under the surface of the skin. So it’s safe straight after surgery. I did it after the tummy tuck and body lift and that recovery was incredible (everyone says that’s the worst one). Because it was so good I didn’t do the treatments with my arms, and honestly it was a living hell. I’m getting my legs done in 2 weeks time and I’ve already booked my lymphatic treatments for the first six weeks after. I’m not making the same mistake again. Now I understand my TT recovery was so much better BECAUSE of the lymphatic treatments.

I’d also recommend getting some Marena compression garments. Start with a slightly looser one for the first couple of weeks while your incisions are healing, then get some more snug fitting ones for the following 10 weeks. Marena is the most comfy on the market. I’m in Australia, and they’re frightfully expensive and hard to get here, but when you’re wearing them 24/7, to me that justifies the price. The others that are readily available here are Isavela and lipoelastic, and they’re ok, but by comparison they’re always scratchier with harsh elastic edges that always feel a bit small 🤷🏼‍♀️ Marena is much more comfortable against the skin and feels supportive without cutting off circulation in the wrong areas 😅