Calling all Veteran Brachio and Thigh lifters- help!!

Thanks for the honest opinion. Given people's comments, I think I may lean towards the small medial lift than the full one. Were you happy with that part? This is such a difficult decision. I worry that my vanity will leave me looking worse.

Katie, I think you already have seen my photos, but feel freel to look again.  I will post new pics next week at 4 weeks out.  Dr. Sauceda is an artist!  So far I am so pleased with how I am healing, and with the minimal size of the scar lines.  I am also using a special tape (Kinesiotape) which is really helping the scars.  I also wear both my garments from neck to ankle 24/7 and will for the full 6 weeks and maybe more.  I also massage the scars through the tape several times a day.  I would have never been satisfied with a medial lift...many folks who get them, often go back for the full lift later.  I am the most pleased with my thighs and arms.  The pics that I have are at 2 weeks, and I know my results will only get better with time and regular exercise.  Good Luck!

Hi Diane,

Thank you so much for keeping me in the loop!!! I'm so happy to have your pics and posts to help me with my Dr. Sauceda decisions. How are your wounds healing? Did you have any seperation issues with the TL? Did you have to go home with any drains or sutures?

Did you get a chance to look at any pics of other patients? Your scars look so good, but I think you have good scar genes! You're olive complexion gives it away :) Did you get much lipo? If so, on which areas? I want to have some fat removed from my abdomen and my thighs. My thighs aren't too droopy (although there is extra skin) but they are too big. I have to wear stupid wide leg jeans now :(

Thanks for your help!!! I can't wait to see the 4 week pics!

Hi Katie,

You are welcome!  My wounds are healed and healed well within 2 weeks with the exception of where the drains were in the thighs, at my knees.  As I aggressively massage the lumps/scar tissue out, I would get some clear fluid leakage.  No infection, no separation, minimal swelling.  I keep a steri strip on it to keep it closed, and get a little leak when I massage.  If I said it once, I'll say it a million more times, Dr. Sauceda is a very gifted surgeon.  I left on day 12, with no drains or sutures.  The arm drains were gone on day 5, the other 3 drains and all sutures were removed the day b4 I left.  I really do have terrible skin, and I am 43, so no elasticity left there.  I am italian, but did tan b4 i had surgery...which is a no-no, so I may have trouble there...if I only knew then it was gonna fall into place so quickly, I would not have spent any time in the sun. 

I had no lipo, and I am using the K-tape, so you really can't see the arm or thigh scars, but as soon as the tape therapy is over I will take more pics.  I am not using the tape on the tummy, because it doesn't show, but also to see the difference the tape makes.  My TT, although expertly done, leaves me with some fat in the center.  Not sure if this is from the compression garment, swelling, or maybe I will decide on a little lipo if I can't exercise it away.  Good luck, I am very excited for you!