We advise patients to sleep on their backs after having the arm lift procedure. Regardless of how much contouring you've had done during your arm lift, the surgical area will be sore and tender for a week or two. Proper rest is imperative to optimal healing from Brachioplasty. At the same time, it is necessary to protect the arms from accidental bumps and friction. The ideal sleeping position after arm lift surgery is on your back with your head and your arms elevated. One thick pillow or a few softer pillows behind the neck and head should suffice. Then, each arm can rest on a thick pillow to help fluid naturally drain away from the surgical site. This sleeping position may only need to continue for three or four days. It may be easier to sleep elevated in a recliner than in the bed. It is helpful to begin practicing sleeping on your back before surgery so when it becomes absolutely necessary during recovery, it may not be much of a challenge.