Arm lifts/TTs: ETTs/lipo/recovery time/pain/Thailand/info-help, please!

Hi. I have a few questions:

I am currently living in South Korea (working as an English teacher) and am looking to have an arm lift and tummy tuck done at the end of December in Thailand. Yes, yes, I know the thought of overseas plastic surgery can be scary, but several factors weigh into my decision:
1. I could never afford these procedures in the States.
2. I have the money now and ability to travel to thailand and recover for a month before returning to work.
3. Etc. Etc.

I'm carefully researching many facilities and many surgeons and think I have narrowed it down to just a few.. I am trying to get a better feel, though, for the surgeon's experience with post-bariatric patients.
Having said all that:

I had RNY in June 2009 and have lost 120 pounds. I am hoping to lose another 20-25...having the surgery at the end of Dec. puts me at 18 mths out, which is the earliest time my surgeon "allows"/recommends having any procedures done.

1. For those of you who have done both arm lifts and tummy tucks (or one or another), do you think i will be "up" for taking care of myself post-op? I will travel to Thailand at the end of Dec... have surgery that last week and then stay in Bangkok for a minimum of 10-14 days per the doctor's orders. Chances are, i will stay longer (maybe 20 days) and return to South Korea with another five-six days to recover before returning to work (I won't be teaching, just doing admin work for those few days)... I will then have off another three days the following week.

I will be traveling by myself to Thailand... I just want your opinions as to whether you think this is absurdly stupid or not in terms of thinking I'll be able to take care of myself. After  being discharged from RNY surgery, I had a friend stay with me for one or two nights, but then she left town (she didn't live in my city) and I was on my own with no problem.

2. I had really wanted a lower body lift, but cannot afford it at this point and don't know when I'll ever have the funds to do it. So... I'm thinking just the TT and arm lift... At some point int the future, if I want help with my thighs and butt (and breast lift, too), that wouldn't be a problem, right? But again, all that's kind of a pipe dream.

3. I've had a few different opinions from surgeons... some have seem my pics and said to have the belt lipectomy (one said that); I think another said TT with lipo; another said extended TT with lip; and one has just said TT... I'm worried about getting just a "TT" -- I'm sure my "flanks" have extra skin. Also, I think the surgeon will make his final decision during our consulation, but any information you can give me on YOUR procedures would be greatly appreciated. Did any of you just get the TT?

3. If I lose 10-20 pounds AFTER having an arm lift or TT, will that greatly affect the results? I absolutely don't intend on losing more than that.. I think it will be a fight to reach that goal anyway... but I'm curious to see what you think about losing 10-20 lbs after.

Please, any suggestions you have, send them my way. Also, I'm concerned (again) with being able to take care of myself post-op in BKK and if returning to work a month later will be ok. Additionally, what about the PAIN? I've read some blogs that people feel TT pain several months post-op. I'm concerned that I won't be able to get ample pain meds if necessary after leaving Thailand. Is that a real concern to have?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Suzi

Suzi-
You might want to have a look at the following website.   http://www.plasticsurgeryjourneys.com/psj/home/choose_path

Hi Suzi.

I had a TT, breasts, and arms done back in July 2010. I optimistically thought I would be fully recovered in 3-4 weeks. How wrong I was...

Not to scare you, but I am on month 3 of my recovery and I just re-gained use of my left arm. I could not raise it over my head for the first few months. Also, for the first 4 weeks, I had to be helped to the bathroom and spoon fed. I had 2 other people caring for me around the clock. The recovery was so much more complex and lengthy than I ever expected.

Having said that, each of us is different and has unique challenges. For me, the recovery was MONTHS, not weeks, and I am still not 100% to this day. There is no way I could have done this alone in a hotel room in another country. You really need a friend or family member to be with you for at least 3 weeks because you will have very restricted use of your arms and your mobility will be limited.

Once again, don't mean to scare you, but I wish someone had prepared me better for what I faced when I woke up after the plastic surgery. 

Good luck on your journey.