Arm movement post-op

NathanExplosion · February 20, 2014, 01:05:48 PM

So I've heard a lot of horror stories about post-op dudes not being able to move their arms much (t-rex arms) for weeks. I'm one week post op and I have almost 100% arm movement - reaching up to wash my hair or open the microwave is no problem and doesn't hurt at all. It doesn't feel like it's pulling anything that's healing. Should I try not to move them too much anyway? Obviously I'm not doing any heavy lifting, but I'm wondering if I'm hurting myself without realizing it by lifting my arms.

Kreuzfidel · February 20, 2014, 05:29:38 PM

I think that the "not raising your arms" is more about being careful not to stretch the scars versus actually injuring yourself. Definitely shouldn't be reaching too much in the first few weeks to avoid injury, though.

Bimmer Guy · February 20, 2014, 06:30:19 PM

Quote from: NathanExplosion on February 20, 2014, 01:05:48 PM
So I've heard a lot of horror stories about post-op dudes not being able to move their arms much (t-rex arms) for weeks. I'm one week post op and I have almost 100% arm movement - reaching up to wash my hair or open the microwave is no problem and doesn't hurt at all. It doesn't feel like it's pulling anything that's healing. Should I try not to move them too much anyway? Obviously I'm not doing any heavy lifting, but I'm wondering if I'm hurting myself without realizing it by lifting my arms.

Hmmm, that is really odd that you don't feel it pulling anything. That JUST started to happen to me and I am at 4.5 months. Super human healer, maybe?

NathanExplosion · February 20, 2014, 06:46:00 PM

Quote from: Brett on February 20, 2014, 06:30:19 PM
Hmmm, that is really odd that you don't feel it pulling anything. That JUST started to happen to me and I am at 4.5 months. Super human healer, maybe?

LOL, I do feel pretty great! Maybe it's just the way the surgeon did things? Could my arm strength have anything to do with it? I do (did) a lot of arm work outs, so maybe I'm able to use only the muscles in my arms without using any in my chest? I don't think that makes any sense, LOL. But I definitely don't feel anything when I raise my arms!

Bimmer Guy · February 20, 2014, 07:47:08 PM

Quote from: NathanExplosion on February 20, 2014, 06:46:00 PM
LOL, I do feel pretty great! Maybe it's just the way the surgeon did things? Could my arm strength have anything to do with it? I do (did) a lot of arm work outs, so maybe I'm able to use only the muscles in my arms without using any in my chest? I don't think that makes any sense, LOL. But I definitely don't feel anything when I raise my arms!

No, the strength training shouldn't make a difference. When is your post op? I am super curious to see your chest now!

NathanExplosion · February 20, 2014, 08:02:35 PM

Quote from: Brett on February 20, 2014, 07:47:08 PM
No, the strength training shouldn't make a difference. When is your post op? I am super curious to see your chest now!

TOMORROW!! Thank goodness, I am itching like CRAZY under these bandages! I'm super nervous and excited... will post pics!

aleon515 · February 20, 2014, 09:56:27 PM

Don't know anybody that happened to in the extreme. I did normal activities very early on except for lifting. I think I might have reached a lot but my scars are quite thin so I must not have overdone it. I felt a lot of pull on the incision line if I pushed things, which discouraged me (and should discourage you) from reaching too much. I have normal range of motion now. I have not done any exercise (well walking the dog). I am going to start up again next month. I'm 3 1/2 months.

--Jay

FlightyBrood · February 20, 2014, 10:33:28 PM

Nate and I saw the same surgeon, and i have pretty much the same amount of arm movement after freeing my armpit hair from the Sticky Devil. It doesnt hurt my incisions or anywhere near them to move my arms, but i do get something of a sore feeling in my pectoral muscles, right at my armpit. Of course I dont raise my arms much anyways, just in case, but I have pretty much full range!

Nate and I have very different body types-ill post pictures of my chest tomarrow alongside his. im very interested to see it! hopefully everything went well for us both. Finally....we will never be itchy again!!!!!!!!!

(and we can shower...)

Bimmer Guy · February 21, 2014, 05:24:44 PM

Nathan, today's, Friday, where are the pics? Post them in the recovery thread.

rexyrex · February 21, 2014, 05:25:46 PM

I have been in a t-Rex mode for about just over a week or two, but in i can move about 80% which is good. As long you take it easy and there's no pain or any pulling. Yeah I hate the itchiness when I had to keep the binder on pos-op that was a nightmare.

Hope it went well today.

NathanExplosion · February 21, 2014, 07:40:35 PM

Heh, sorry Brett! Our post-op wasn't until 3 and we just got home thanks to rush hour and us being starving. Going to post pics now! But if you're really dying to know: everything looks AMAZING!!!!!

anibioman · February 26, 2014, 07:13:37 PM

If you don't feel pulling its fine. I'm three weeks post op and can raise my arms to about a high nazi salute, idk what else to call it. Until I got my drains out I couldn't raise my elbows any higher than my shoulders. I could wash my hair but I had to lower my head a bit.

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Arm movement post-op