What to expect after your appointment

Mild tenderness or bruising is common after the procedure. You may take simple pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, if these are safe for you. Most people find they do not need any medication.

After insertion, you should be able to feel the implant in your arm. It’s around 4cm long (approximately the size of a matchstick), smooth-textured and may be slightly mobile under the skin, which allows your body to move comfortably and naturally around it without restriction. If you are unable to feel it, please use condoms or avoid sexual intercourse until a clinician has confirmed the implant is in place.

Caring for your arm

You’ll leave the clinic with a bandage, or a small dressing, over the insertion (or removal) site. This helps to keep the site clean and dry while also protecting the area if it feels tender, which will allow the small incision to heal. Please keep the bandage on for:

• At least 24 hours after implant insertion
• At least 48 hours after implant removal

When you’re washing with the bandage on, try to keep it dry as much as possible. Covering it with cling film is a simple way to protect the bandage. Once you remove the bandage, you may notice some bruising, which is completely normal and may last for up to two weeks.

You may also have thin plasters over the site. Plasters should ideally remain in place for another 3-4 days to allow the wound to heal neatly. Please be careful when removing the bandage so that your plasters are not also removed accidentally. When ready, you may wish to soak off your plasters in the shower or bath as a gentle removal method that causes minimal disturbance to your newly healed arm.

If your arm or hand feels numb or cold, this may indicate that your bandage is too tight. In this case, someone can gently loosen it and reapply the dressing.

Signs of infection or allergy

Infection following an implant insertion or removal is rare, but it’s nonetheless important to monitor the site as you heal, as any time the skin barrier is broken – even with a small incision like the one at your implant site – there is a minimal risk that bacteria may enter and cause a localised infection. This is most likely to occur if the area becomes contaminated, if aftercare instructions are not followed correctly or if the site is exposed to moisture too soon. Please contact your GP or NHS 111 if you notice:

• Discharge from the wound (e.g. pus)
• Increased redness, swelling or pain that becomes difficult to tolerate over the suite
• A raised temperature or feeling generally unwell

Allergic reactions are also rare and may present as redness, swelling and itching at the implant site. If you’re concerned about a possible allergy or infection, seek medical advice promptly.

Activity and exercise

While the site is still healing, we recommend avoiding any activity that may put pressure on the arm or cause the dressing to become wet. Once the tenderness has eased and the skin has fully healed, you can resume your usual routine – including work, exercise and daily movement – without restriction.