Nirav Patel

I am not entirely clear by what you mean a "jawline lift," but I will discuss potential non-surgical and surgical options for addressing jawline contour.

For subtle contour irregularities, hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers or fat grafting can be of potential benefit to camouflage the irregularities and in doing so, give the illusion of a "lift."

However, to address more extensive skin laxity or sagging from aging or sun damaged skin, one may need to resort to surgery, and the one that most reliably straightens out the jawline is a formal facelift, often done in combination with a necklift. A facelift addresses jowling that occurs due to ligamentous attachments at the jawline where it intersects with marionette lines (etched lines extending from the corners of the mouth down to the jaw).

A full-scar facelift creates a more powerful upward pull and arguably longer lasting results in smoothening out the jawline, but does require an incision around the ear as well as into the sideburn and posterior hairline. A mini-facelift (or short scar facelift) instead has scars that extend around the ears only, but some patients may end up requiring a second facelift years later as the skin and jowls begin to sag again.

Seek a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to help discuss your facial rejuvenation goals and strategize a path - whether involving injection or surgery - to achieve those goals safely and efficaciously.

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

Tough question to answer without knowing (1) how far out you are from your surgery and (2) a little more detail about your skin history, including whether you had oily skin beforehand.

It is quite possible that you could be feeling some residual skin adhesive that might have been used to apply your surgical splints and/or SteriStrips to secure the splint, if you are still relatively early postop (first couple of weeks).

If it is truly oily skin, however, you can certainly avail of over-the-counter skin cleansers, but always check with your original surgeon first, especially as you do not want to be applying undue pressure to your delicate post-surgical nose within the first six (6) weeks of your operation.

If simple over-the-counter cleansers do not work after several weeks, then you may want to consider the advice of a Board-Certified Dermatologist, who can best partner with you to address your oil imbalance to your nasal skin.

It is unlikely that your nasal skin has suddenly gotten oily due to anything directly related to the surgery beyond adhesives or other topical agents that might have come into contact with it. It could also be possible that you had oily skin preoperatively, but became more attentive to it now that you have had surgery in that area of your face.

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

It depends on where you are experiencing numbness. Paresthesia, or numbness, in the nasal tip (along with edema, or swelling) can be common even further out than three (3) months postop. However, if your paresthesia (numbness) involves more than just an isolated area such as the tip, it might be considered unusual.

Were I to encounter you having this situation in my own practice, I would keep monitoring your nerve recovery every three (3) months until you've hit six (6) to nine (9) months postop. At that point, if you still had persistent numbness, I would ask your surgeon for guidance. Formal sensory nerve testing can be done with a monofilament (touching the skin with a thin wire) as well as a two-point discriminator (applying two sharp points on the skin and seeing how well you detect that they are apart from one another).

Recovery to sensory nerves to the skin, including nasal skin, is slow, at a rate of 1 mm per day. It can take up to a year or longer for full nerve recovery to occur on the body, depending on what surgery was done. I counsel my patients about this rate of recovery and I also make no promises that they will enjoy full nerve recovery, whether it is sensation of the nipples after breast surgery or sensation of the scalp after a browlift.

One over-the-counter treatment option you may want to discuss with your doctor is Vitamin B complex, which in the literature has shown some efficacy at helping with nerve regeneration. Beyond this, though, most healing, including the nerves, simply requires "tincture of time" and patience.

I hope this helps and I wish you well with your continued recovery from your rhinoplasty!

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

Sorry to hear about your discomfort! While significant pain from facial plastic surgery one month out is more uncommon, it is not completely unheard of.
I wonder in what areas are you feeling pain and the quality of the sensation - shooting pains can be neuropathic in nature, while a tightness sensation could be anchoring sutures, which are more often normal feelings that hopefully improve or resolve over time as suture material degrades or (normal) internal scar tissue matures.
Talk to your original surgeon about your concerns. One thing that can be tried is the Vitamin B complex to facilitate nerve regeneration, but keep in mind that at worst it might achieve nothing. The Vitamin B family is water-soluble and thus generally safe to take, even in higher doses than you would get in your diet.
Barring non-surgical options that you’ve tried or your surgeon suggested, then the next move could potentially be for you to see a Neurologist, who can perform formal testing. However, being only one (1) month out, that option would be premature in my mind, and I would reserve that as a “last resort” if your pain symptoms persist beyond, say, three (3) months postop.
I hope this information helps and I wish you a speedier recovery! Stay safe.

Without knowing more, the short answer is 'yes'. Most patients should be off pain medication, at the very least, though.

You are still only six (6) weeks out. While most postoperative rhinoplasty discomfort should be resolved by now, you could still have focal areas of tenderness, particularly if osteotomies (rebreaking of the nasal bones) were done. Are you still requiring pain medication to get by? If that is the case, your pain may be disproportionate or out of the ordinary for a rhinoplasty postop patient.

One would need to see your surgeon's Operative Note to know what was done in detail to say with certainty whether you should be expecting some residual discomfort a month and a half out from surgery.

Talk to your original surgeon for guidance! Otherwise, hold the faith, stay patient, and be hopeful that all residual pain issues will resolve over time.

[To compare: nasal swelling, called edema, can persist for up to 9-12 months postop, for example, particularly in the nasal tip area.]

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

The inferior turbinates contribute to internal nasal valve airway resistance and removing them, can help greatly with nasal obstruction.

However, removing these turbinates is not without risk. Overaggressive resection risks more operative bleeding and potential compromise to the bony/cartilaginous skeleton of your nasal anatomy. Otolaryngologists (ENT doctors) who perform rhinoplasty are generally more comfortable with turbinectomy, while plastic surgeons such as myself may opt instead to outfracture the inferior turbinates, which does not remove them, but crushes the bony tissue to at least provide temporary nasal obstructive relief; the downside is that not infrequently, the condition is temporary and the turbinates can heal and restore to a similar state as before.

Talk to a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon or Otolaryngologist (ENT) about your nasal obstructive issues and whether turbinectomy is the way to go to best treat your condition.

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

The risks, as with most plastic surgeries, are many, but the vast majority—if they occur—are minor, and the major risks are avoidable and preventable. This is the typical list of risks I disclose when I help my patients complete their informed consent form for abdominoplasty:
Bleeding, infection, damage to nearby structures (nerves, arteries, veins, lymphatics, muscle, bone, viscera (organs) such as lungs, bowel, bladder), hematoma, seroma, hemothorax, pneumothorax, wound healing delay, skin loss/necrosis, partial or complete loss of the umbilicus (navel), asymmetry, undesired cosmetic result, need for reoperation, contour irregularity, scarring/deformity, chronic pain/numbness, postoperative constipation, ileus (slowing of bowel function) or bowel obstruction, and risks of general anesthesia (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, even death).
Any plastic surgeon who does not go through these risks with you at the time of your consultation or when you complete your preoperative visit (consent form signing) is failing to fulfill his or her standard of care for you.
Despite what looks like a long and distinguished list of some scary-sounding complications (note that death is among them!), a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon is sufficiently skilled, knowledgeable, and responsible to get you through your abdominoplasty safely, ethically, and efficaciously. Never “settle” for a “plastic” surgeon who claims to have training or credentials other than those provided by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

It partly depends on your individual anatomy and ability to recover, and partly on the surgeon’s technique and ability to minimize overall inflammation and bleeding in the pocket. I have done a couple of breast augmentations over the past month, and beyond minimal bruising at the skin level (where the anesthetic was injected by me), they largely look “normal” (albeit augmented) with some expected edema (swelling) but quite minimal. I believe there are some additional things that I now do during (and before) surgery that has helped me achieve a smoother recovery. Ordinarily, you should expect your implants to “ride high” in the pocket—sometimes startlingly so (up to the collar bone in some cases!)—before they “settle” into a more natural position over the course of days and weeks post-surgery. Some surgeons will even have you “strap” your implants down with an elastic band or ACE wrap to help coax them into position.
What I have my patients do before surgery really seems to help with postop bruising (ecchymosis) and swelling (edema), which I think also helps the implants stay settled from the get-go. My patients take a course of two homeopathic vitamins, Arnica Montana and Bromelain, both of which are proven in the Dermatology literature to help. (Bromelain is basically pineapple extract, but very concentrated; you would have to eat a TON of pineapple to get the same effects!)
Secondly, during surgery, I strive for precise breast implant pocket creation and with my Anesthesiology colleagues, we administer drugs that help reduce blood loss (it should be minimal anyway!) and inflammation.
With rare exceptions, I have them administer 1-2 doses of TXA, or tranexamic acid, now embraced by Trauma and Orthopaedic surgeons to help reduce blood loss during a trauma situation or hip and knee replacement surgery. Plastic surgeons like me are starting to embrace TXA as well.
I also am a fan of Toradol, the generic name Ketorolac, which in the past was avoided out of fear of postoperative bleeding, but we have since found out that the benefit of inflammatory pain control greatly outweighs the small theoretical bleeding risk in the breasts, especially for someone healthy who does not regularly take blood thinners at baseline. I have my patients continue with oral (by mouth) pills of Toradol for five (5) days postop, alternating with Extra Strength Tylenol. After this, they switch to as-needed over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain meds (NSAIDs) such as Aleve, Ibuprofen, or Advil. I also prescribe an as-needed muscle relaxer called Robaxin which helps a lot for my primary breast aug patients, where I routinely place the implants under the chest muscle called the pectoralis major.
I believe all of these measures lead to a smoother surgery and smoother postop recovery with next to no bleeding and minimal postop bruising and swelling, which enables the implants to sit “right in the pocket” almost immediately, if not immediately. (My personal challenge with every breast aug I do is to bloodlessly create my breast pockets!)
If it has been one (1) month since your breast augmentation surgery and you have concerns about the overall appearance, talk to your surgeon and voice those concerns. I truly hope your surgeon is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon.
Chances are, reassurance is all you need, but in some cases, performing strapping maneuvers or implant displacement exercises might be good tricks. (If you also had a breast lift or ‘mastopexy’ performed, then your recovery does have the potential to be more complicated, including possible wound healing issues, given the tightening of your skin combined with the weight of adding breast implants.)

Tough question. The answer depends on how extensive the rhinoplasty was and what maneuvers were performed, but the short answer is ‘No’.

There might be some options to camouflage subtle irregularities or improve contour of the dorsum, such as injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) filler, but these must be done with trained hands of professionals who truly understand facial anatomy. Fillers pose risks of skin or tissue necrosis, or worse yet…BLINDNESS.

Seek a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon or Facial Plastic Surgeon if you have already had a rhinoplasty and are seeking further refinements or ways in which to “reverse” certain changes to your nasal anatomy.

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

Cool compresses are helpful during the first 1-2 days postop, as is keeping your head elevated. I like to have my patient’s take Arnica and Bromelain starting 2-4 days preop, which greatly helps with bruising (ecchymosis) and swelling (edema).

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

Whether a tummy tuck or liposuction, what fat is removed (whether alone or including skin) is gone forever. However, you must be aware that what fat REMAINS can grow (hypertrophy) with poor diet and lack of exercise.

The best candidates for abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) have successfully reduced or maintained their body mass index (BMI) to less than 30.0 kg/m2. There are free BMI calculators out there to help you track your weight or meet weight loss goals. That said, many plastic surgeons will be willing to work with you if your BMI exceeds 30, if you are motivated, follow postop instructions (are compliant), and are otherwise fairly healthy.

Talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon about your body contouring goals and how he or she can help meet them safely.

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

For most facial surgeries, one is usually healed sufficiently to apply at least concealer makeup in about three (3) weeks. I usually give this advice for my facelift and sometimes blepharoplasty (eye lift) patients.

However, for rhinoplasty (including septoplasty), it is wise to avoid any pressure to the external nose for at least six (6) weeks postop to avoid any disruption to your septum or nasal bones (especially if other maneuvers were done besides just the septoplasty).

Always confer with your actual surgeon - hopefully Board Certified in Plastic Surgery or Facial Plastic Surgery (a subspecialty of ENT, a.k.a. Otolaryngology) - for him or her to give you the most accurate advice for your particular situation and anatomy.

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

There is usually swelling called edema that lasts for several weeks to even months after liposuction surgery. I advise my patient not to expect results until at least three (3), if not six (6), months after liposuction, to allow for more complete resolution of postop edema.

"Friends" that will help with your recovery:

1. Regular, compliant use of compression garment wear;
2. A low or no-added salt diet (water loves salt, and thus a salty diet will have you retain more edema);
3. A lean, high protein diet to help with healing;
4. Continued physical activity - generally walking on a level surface - without over exerting areas that have been liposuctioned or over-using arms or abs, which may worsen postop edema.

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

Thanks for the question. It would have been helpful to send not only your zoomed-in photo but a scout view of your entire face to see how the scar is relative to your whole facial aesthetic. I would not beat yourself up over the fact that your laceration was not sutured. Brow lacerations are very forgiving, and your scar may very well have healed similarly had it been sutured up. This area is very tricky to revise or improve upon. Scars cause alopecia in hair-bearing areas. Depending on the age of the scar, some topical treatments such as minoxidil (Rogaine) might help minimize further hair loss, but it will not help regrow hair very well.

Generally, rhinoplasties bleed a decent amount, particularly the more that is done to the nose, such as breaking the bone with osteotomies. However, new medications have helped us plastic surgeons reduce the amount of operative bleeding, including systemic or topical use of TXA (tranexamic acid). Some surgeons also mix a medication called hyaluronidase into their local anesthetic mixture, which can be helpful with the tissue dissection during rhinoplasty.

However, for the most part, operative bleeding should not get to the point of requiring a blood transfusion. If someone loses more than 300 mL (cc) of blood (about one (1) unit), that generally warrants consideration for blood transfusion. If you end up getting transfused during or after a rhinoplasty, I would certainly say that is way too much bleeding!

Short of that, expect a slow ooze of blood from the nares (nostrils) after rhinoplasty for even several days. Afrin decongestant spray can help minimize congestion and nosebleeding. Keeping the head elevated and frequently applying a 'gauze mustache' along the upper lip to capture bloody and mucus drainage is important. Avoid blood thinners postop (including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or 'NSAIDs') unless your plastic surgeon says it's 'ok' to do so. Making sure you are not overexerting, and keeping your blood pressure in the normal range (120/80 mm Hg) will also avoid unnecessary postoperative bleeding.

Finally, always seek a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon or Facial Plastic Surgeon (Otolaryngology trained) with the knowledge and experience to perform your rhinoplasty. Your surgeon should be able to discuss with you his or her strategies to manage operative bleeding and keep it to an absolute minimum.

Good luck to you with your rhinoplasty journey!

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

Wrinkles are also called rhytides. Removing rhytides is called a rhytidectomy. Another term for rhytidectomy is a facelift.

If you are 38, however, I would not recommend a facelift to you. Generally, the earliest I would offer a facelift to someone is in his or her late 40s, ideally 50s-60s. Past one’s 70s, you may be too old to be a safe surgical candidate if you’ve developed heart (cardiac) or other chronic medical conditions.

There may be other less invasive options such as dermal fillers, neurotoxins (Botox), skin resurfacing (lasers, peels, dermabrasion), or skin care that can help you meet your aesthetic goals.

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

This is a loaded question and depends a lot on your overall health history and any medication allergies. To address postoperative nausea or vomiting, I generally prescribe Zofran (Ondansetron), which is generally safe for most patients; it was originally formulated to help patients on chemotherapy manage their nausea. That said, I will focus my remaining answer on postoperative pain medications since that is the primary concern of most of my patients in my practice.
Generally, at least in my own plastic surgery practice, I am deemphasizing prescriptions for oral opioid narcotics and when they are prescribed, they are for a very short course. I no longer prescribe stronger opioids such as Oxycodone (which is in the popular Percocet brand). Narcotics target opioid receptors which can help target postoperative pain, but they have addictive potential and can be very constipating, to the point of even causing a bowel obstruction if overused or misused. If you are prescribed any narcotics, you must ask about strategies to maintain bowel motility, such as the use of prescription or over-the-counter stool softeners.
Surgery in the face and neck poses a higher risk of postoperative bleeding and hematoma, given the rich blood supply to the head and neck region, especially in males (thicker hair follicles means more bleeding), those with hypertension (high blood pressure), or with any other chronic condition that leads to coughing or straining after surgery (e.g. a respiratory issue such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, or obstructive sleep apnea, OSA).
For these reasons, I may or may prescribe or instruct that one takes nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aleve, Motrin, or Ibuprofen. NSAIDs also impact the kidneys, so it may not be advisable for anyone with renal issues. In theory, NSAIDs can worsen postoperative bleeding, but I have honestly not found that the case in my years of practice.

Other factors: those with acid reflux issues or who may have undergone bariatric (weight loss) surgery may be more sensitive to NSAIDs and not tolerate them without substantial nausea/vomiting issues or risk for tearing up stomach lining (causing an ulcer).

Again, determining the best course of postoperative medications requires a careful discussion with your Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon about your planned procedure, existing medications, allergies (and what the reactions to medications are), past medical history, surgical history, and social history (including use of nicotine-containing substances, alcohol, and any recreational drugs). You must also discuss physical restrictions and downtime, so that you do not overexert yourself after neck surgery, whether it is a cosmetic necklift or a reconstructive procedure to the head and neck region.

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

Visibility of the postoperative results depends on some factors, including how extensive the liposuction was as well as how well you adhere to the postoperative instructions, particularly compression garment wear, but also limiting salt intake (which can lead to worse swelling called 'edema') as well as strenuous physical activity.

You may see noticeable improvement right away, but I always caution my patients not to expect a 'final' result until they are at least 3-6 months out from surgery. Compression is your friend, as is staying on a healthy diet and exercise regimen postoperatively to help maintain and improve upon the result.

Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery

Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097

Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
Cell 203-710-9952

https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/

Recovery from liposuction to the arms depends on several variables:

1. Your occupation. Any job involving heavy lifting should not be resumed for generally four (4) weeks, sometimes longer.
2. Your physical activity in general. Similarly, you should not be engaged in heavy weight lifting at the gym, vigorous use of the arms (think: gym elliptical machine), or significant "core" activity (use of the abs or any straining that can transmit to the upper body). The duration of the restriction is generally four (4) weeks, but if the extent of liposuction was minimal, it could be as little as two (2) weeks. For bigger surgical interventions, expect a longer downtime.
3. The extent of liposuction. If the liposuction is done was minimal, you might be able to resume regular physical activity with the arms in 2-4 weeks. If it was larger volume liposuction, I would say four (4) weeks or longer is a more appropriate restriction. If you also had a Brachioplasty (surgical 'arm lift') done, then the restriction could be as long as six (6) weeks, in terms of bearing more than 5-10 lbs' weight per arm.
4. Your diet. Salt loves water, and the more salt you take in after surgery, the more swollen your tissues in the arms will be. This soft tissue swelling is called edema. Compression garment wear helps squeeze that edema fluid back into your body and directs it towards your heart or allows for your body to absorb the fluid. However, see (1)-(3). If you are overdoing it physically, and you are taking in a high salt diet, you will have a miserable recovery.
5. Use of medications. I start my patients anywhere from 2-4 days' preoperatively on a homeopathic vitamin regimen of Arnica and Bromelain, both of which are proven in the literature to help with postoperative swelling and bruising (a.k.a. 'ecchymosis'). I am also a fan of TXA (tranexamic acid), which is shown to reduce operative bleeding. Most likely, you will be prescribed a short course of an oral narcotic, such as Norco (Hydrocodone/Tylenol combination tablet). I advise my patients that they cannot operative heavy machinery or drive until they are completely off narcotic use. I am generally anti-narcotic - due to the addictiveness of narcotics and tendency to cause constipation. I have my patients use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) as soon as possible, and will sometimes prescribe a course of Toradol (a.k.a., Ketorolac, a strong NSAID) for five (5) days' postop.

It does! However, your plastic surgeon needs to determine whether your tissue excess in the arms is predominantly fat or predominantly skin. If it is more of the latter, meaning sagging of the arms (or ptosis), then a skin excision procedure called a Brachioplasty or 'arm lift' is more appropriate than just liposuction alone. If you do not have significant skin excess, and your skin has good elasticity (ability to rebound like a rubber band), then careful liposuction to the arms can be a good option, so long as you are compliant with compression arm sleeve wear, adhering to a low salt, high protein diet to maximize healing, and follow postoperative restrictions with your arms as far as heavy lifting is concerned. Always discuss your body contouring goals with a duly trained, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who can offer any and all of the above options safely and ethically.