anyone TT and arms together???

Having surgery next Tuesday but now having second thoughts.  Went to a support mtg last night and a plastic surgeon was there.  He said he would not do the arms and TT in the same operation.  That it would be too hard to get around afterwards.  To get up, etc.  Anyone have an experience they can share?  I was wanting to do it all in one to save money and reduce number of operations.  The surgeon that is doing mine said he would not recommend it but it could be done.  His rationale was that it was a lot of healing at one time.  I think I can handle that but now concerned will I be able to function on my own after???

Appreciate any insight you could share.

Thanks
Vicki

I had my AL, BA and LBL all done in the same procedure. Honestly didn't even feel any pain in the arms (or boobs but I guess that's irrelevant).

Hi Vicki,
I know there are some here who have them done together but every surgeon I spoke to (consultations) said they would not recommend doing the arms with the Tummy.  The reason is you NEED your arms to get you up and down after the tummy tuck.   When you have your arms done you CANNOT use them at all for the first few days/weeks and it takes a good 4-6 weeks before you can resume most normal use of the arms (and still you have to be very very careful).

I've had my arms done already and I can tell you that of all the procedures I've had (Breast Reduction and Lift, Arm Lift, Tummy Tuck) the arms was the worst recovery.  I hear the long incision on the inner thighs is bad too but I can't imagine it being worst than the armpit pain.

In a nutshell you will not be able to function alone you will need help.  I could do more on my own after the Tummy Tuck than I could after my brachioplasty.  You need round the clock help when the arms are done...

Let me know if you have more specific questions..

Best wishes

This just proves that everyone is different. I literally had ZERO pain in the arms (arm pits included).

I had my LBL and brachio done this summer. Never had any problems w/ my arms or getting around afterwards. No pain in the arms, just maybe an uncomfortable feeling when I had to wear the compression garment in the armpit area. The seam was right on one incision. After a bit of tugging and such got the garment so it felt fine.

Each surgeon is different. Mine wouldn't do the thighs and the tummy at the same time but you see many people doing those at the same time. He also didn't want to do the BL/BA at the same time as the LBL (thought it was too long of a surgery) which is why we went w/ the arms w/ the tummy.

Sonya

Hi Vicki

I had a LBL, Arm lift, BL/BA and a medial thigh lift in Sept 2009 and I did not have any issues. Whether you have 1 surgery or several you learn to make slow and controlled movements to minimize discomfort. For me, wearing my compression garments as instructed by my surgeon 24/7 made all the difference. The garments helped to keep the incisions in place and tight to the body so to speak. My mother went with me but I did 99% of things for myself.
 
I agree that everyone is different so for my experience, piece of cake.

God speed as you decide!

I had my TT and arms done together.  The only time I had any pain in my arms was when I was in the motion of sitting down, standing up, sitting up or laying down.  The pain just lasted long enough to sit or stand.  Once I was done with that the pain was gone.  I would have no hesitation doing them together again. 
I never had any problems using my arms after surgery.  The only limitations I had was lifting heavy items.  I was feeding, dressing & cleaning myself the day I got home from surgery.

Your surgeon's onto something, there.

I had an abdominoplasty, arms AND breasts done in a 13 hour procedure in June. Afterwards my surgeon admitted that's a hell of a alot of trauma on a person-- luckily I was in great physical shape, but the recovery was a ***** And it would have been impossible without 24 hour care as I had the first two weeks.

I had an abdominoplasty, bilateral brachioplasty and tummy tuck 9/28 and am currently recovering. I have to say the arms have been difficult for they don't drain as well as the abdomen area. I have been battling swelling and I actually busted a stitch being too active. I have assistance with my mother and sister-in-law with dressing, showering and draining (wound care). I am so grateful for their assistance and agree that you need help for a minimum the first two weeks. I am 34 years old and was in pretty good shape ( I trained for triatholons). I also have gastric banding and found my appetite and capacity was depressed. I always carried my weight on top and had a lot of skin removed on my arms and breasts area. I was shocked to find out I was a size 'A' when the skin was removed. So I had a lot of work done on that area. This might assist with deciphering who will struggle with the arms and who will not. The abdomen area is not painful in the least and is healing. The breasts are tender. Would I advocate doing all three together? Absolutely if you are prepared for limiting activity, in good shape and have outside help. This is it for me in plastic surgery and it has been much more cost effective doing it this way. My total surgery time was 6.5 hours.

Good luck!