8 Days Post-Op: My Brachioplasty Recovery After Weight Loss Surgery
May 22, 2025
Back home and healing like a champ—8 days post-brachioplasty, and I’m feeling every bit of it: swelling, tightness, and absolutely no regrets. For anyone navigating life after bariatric surgery, the journey doesn’t stop when the weight comes off. For many of us, body contouring surgery like extended brachioplasty is the next step toward reclaiming our confidence and comfort in our own skin.
Why I Chose Brachioplasty After Bariatric Surgery
After massive weight loss and three body-transforming procedures—including a 360 body lift and a facelift—this arm lift was the final touch. Performed in Tijuana by Dr. Salvador Medina, my extended brachioplasty removed loose, hanging skin that wouldn’t go away no matter how much I worked out.
The incision? It runs from my upper arm down and under the chest area. It's extensive—but necessary for the level of excess skin I had.
And I don’t regret a thing.
What Day 8 of Brachioplasty Recovery Looks Like
Let’s get real: the healing process is not glamorous. My left hand was double its normal size right after surgery. But as of today, most of that swelling is gone. What’s lingering is abdominal tightness—partly because I had a tummy tuck a few months back. When you have multiple surgeries close together (with surgeon-approved timing), swelling may increase as the body works overtime to heal.
But I feel like a healing warrior—and I'm starting to see the vision come to life.
Arm Contour, Reimagined
One of the biggest wins? Smoothing out that awkward ridge under my armpit. When I got implants during a breast augmentation last September, loose skin caused a visible crease. During my brachioplasty, Dr. Medina performed liposuction and fat transfer to sculpt a smoother transition from the chest to the arm. The results? Already amazing.
Tank tops, tube tops, and sleeveless summer looks—I’m coming for all of them. In my 40s, I’m wearing what I never dared to in my 20s. That’s what body transformation is about.
Thinking About Skin Removal Surgery After WLS?
If you're on your own bariatric journey, chances are you’ve thought about skin removal. Here are a few tips from someone who's been through it:
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Time your surgeries wisely. Give your body months—not weeks—to recover between procedures.
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Swelling is normal. Don’t panic. It peaks, then improves.
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Be ready for emotional shifts. Watching your body change—again—is powerful and sometimes overwhelming.
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Choose your surgeon carefully. I trusted Dr. Medina for all three of my procedures, and I’m so glad I did.
Need Support for Life After Bariatric Surgery?
The weight loss is just the beginning. At The Rewrite Lifestyle Center, we support the whole journey—before and after surgery. Whether you're dealing with food addiction, body image issues, or you're just trying to find your new normal, we’ve got you.
Explore topics like:
And for trusted medical information, check out the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, or join communities like ObesityHelp and BariatricPal for peer support and real talk.
Video link: 8 Days Post-Op: My Brachioplasty Recovery After Weight Loss Surgery
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