Brachioplasty
Got my arms done!
Dr. Marisa Lawrence at Northside. She does a lot of cancer and breast reconstructions. Really nice.
Since I have tape allergies I had to be wrapped up pretty well. One might think I had work done on my entire upper torso, but not so. I have a line running from my elbows to just under my breast. I am going tomorrow to get the dressings removed and get fitted with compression sleeves. I am so excited to see what they look like.
I had a lot of swelling in my left arm the first night and day after surgery, but I have kept my arms propped above my heart when I sleep and some during the day. There has been some pain, but nothing Tylenol can't handle. Getting dressed is a problem, but daughter and Hubby have stepped in nicely. I don't know how long before I can raise my arms over my head, but I suspect it will be a while as it has been 4 days and I still can't brush my own hair.
Can't wait for the drains to be removed so I can take a shower.
Right now the heat and humidity is making everything itch like crazy.
The wrapping is looking worse by the day! If anyone is interested I will post before and after pics.
I am just so excited I had to share. My family just doesn't understand like you guys do!
Dr. Marisa Lawrence at Northside. She does a lot of cancer and breast reconstructions. Really nice.Since I have tape allergies I had to be wrapped up pretty well. One might think I had work done on my entire upper torso, but not so. I have a line running from my elbows to just under my breast. I am going tomorrow to get the dressings removed and get fitted with compression sleeves. I am so excited to see what they look like.
I had a lot of swelling in my left arm the first night and day after surgery, but I have kept my arms propped above my heart when I sleep and some during the day. There has been some pain, but nothing Tylenol can't handle. Getting dressed is a problem, but daughter and Hubby have stepped in nicely. I don't know how long before I can raise my arms over my head, but I suspect it will be a while as it has been 4 days and I still can't brush my own hair.
Can't wait for the drains to be removed so I can take a shower.
Right now the heat and humidity is making everything itch like crazy.The wrapping is looking worse by the day! If anyone is interested I will post before and after pics.
I am just so excited I had to share. My family just doesn't understand like you guys do!
About $6000. for everything. Doctor, hospital, anesthesiologists, nurses, supplies, compression garments, follow ups, etc. She did what is referred to as an Extended Brachioplasty. So she took care of my "back boobs" as well as pulling up some of the loose skin on my stomach. That is why my incision goes from my elbows to below my breast. Just a plain brachioplasty would probably be a little less.
I'll try to take pictures tomorrow at the doctor's office for those who are not faint of heart!
I can't wait!
I'll try to take pictures tomorrow at the doctor's office for those who are not faint of heart!
I can't wait!
I am so happy for you! I know the arms is the area
that so many of us post ops hate because there is no
way to hide them, especially in the summer. You are
so blessed to have been able to have yours done.
I hope you are not in too much pain and have
beautifil results with minimal scarring. By next
summer, you'll be in tube tops!!! Won't that be a hoot
for hubby and the kids LOL?
BTW, Dr. Lawrence came to speak at a support
group I attended. Her work was impressive. I am not
surprised you chose her.
that so many of us post ops hate because there is no
way to hide them, especially in the summer. You are
so blessed to have been able to have yours done.
I hope you are not in too much pain and have
beautifil results with minimal scarring. By next
summer, you'll be in tube tops!!! Won't that be a hoot
for hubby and the kids LOL?
BTW, Dr. Lawrence came to speak at a support
group I attended. Her work was impressive. I am not
surprised you chose her.
**** I AM AN OH SUPPORT GROUP LEADER ****
WHY I CHOSE DS: No dumping. Highest percentage of weight loss, Best long term results, Won't regain weight! Eat normal sized meals, 96% diabeties, 90% high blood pressure, 80% sleep apnea cured. I 
MY DS!
My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four unless there were three other people. ~Orson Wells
That's great news. I am happy for you. I said last week that if I could ever afford to have the surgery, my arms would have to be number 1. There are so many sleeveless dresses, tops, blouses.......glad you will be able to show those arms off once you have healed.
What is the normal "down time" following this type of surgery?
What is the normal "down time" following this type of surgery?
HW 240/ SW 229/ GW 146/CW 125; OH Support Group Leader
Starting size: 18W-20; Present size: 0 or 2; 5'5-1/2" tall.
Current BMI 20.4 as of 2/13/2013 (normal for the first time in my life).
Goal weight reached on 8/12/2010; As of 1/13/2013, 21 pounds below goal
Down as in "lying in the bed wondering what have I done"? One day.
Sleeping on my back with my arms propped up on pillows, not moving arms much or lifting anything over 5 pounds, 2 weeks.
No baths, oceans, or pools for 6 weeks.
I was released today to start stretching and reaching so I can get my arms over my head and work on full range of motion. It still hurts, don't get me wrong, but it is better every day.
I haven't had anything for pain since surgery but Tylenol, and not even that for the last 5 days.
There have been a few times where I reached "wrong" and it sent a searing pain up my arm and I feared I had ripped something, but Dr. explained that there are several layers of stitches and as they start to dissolve and the skin layers relax, that will go away.
Another thing that may have helped, but of course there is no proof , is taking lots of vitamin C and an herbal supplement called Arnica Montana.
I saved for many years for this surgery, as I pledged to myself that I would never have plastics unless I could pay cash.
Everyone must make there own decision as to how much pain and scars it's worth.
Sleeping on my back with my arms propped up on pillows, not moving arms much or lifting anything over 5 pounds, 2 weeks.
No baths, oceans, or pools for 6 weeks.
I was released today to start stretching and reaching so I can get my arms over my head and work on full range of motion. It still hurts, don't get me wrong, but it is better every day.
I haven't had anything for pain since surgery but Tylenol, and not even that for the last 5 days.
There have been a few times where I reached "wrong" and it sent a searing pain up my arm and I feared I had ripped something, but Dr. explained that there are several layers of stitches and as they start to dissolve and the skin layers relax, that will go away.
Another thing that may have helped, but of course there is no proof , is taking lots of vitamin C and an herbal supplement called Arnica Montana.
I saved for many years for this surgery, as I pledged to myself that I would never have plastics unless I could pay cash.
Everyone must make there own decision as to how much pain and scars it's worth.
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