Brachioplasty-advice, suggestions, info

 I am having brachioplasty in 3 weeks.  I am super excited to be on the healing side of my procedure, but wanted to ask for any information, words of wisdom, advice that anyone has for me.  

I was not at all worried, but after reading many pages of accounts of swelling, pain, complications-of course now I am getting a tad bit scared.

I am only have my arms done at this time because I am actually not done losing weight.

I was thinking that things would go relatively smoothly-I feel that I heal quickly and tend to bounce back well (The day that I came home from lapband to VSG revision surgery I was out at "dinner" with my husband and son who was leaving town the next day). I am only explaining to give a point of reference-maybe someone who had a similar experience with WLS and how they reacted to PS.

Thank you all for your time and advice!

I had my brachioplasty last year. I also had more weight to lose and will be having a revision when I get to my final goal - Was there a reason you're having your arms done before you get to goal? I had mine done because they were so bad and I am an avid swimmer and the excess skin would hit me in the face and head when I was swimming. I am very glad I did and knew at that time that I'd be having a revision later.

My tummy was done at the same time. But I can say that my tummy was easier than my arms. My arm incisons extended from under my arm pit to my elbow. He also did some lipo to make them more shapely. They are lovely. But as others know, lipo does sting for months. The pain wasn't bad. I still have some numbness in areas around my elbow and it took awhile before they felt like my arms. (if that makes sense)

I live alone so I had made sure that I had things within reach. You cannot reach above your head for a while. I had no problem with bathroom duties or showering, but reaching glasses and dishes would have been difficult.

I was given ace bandages after surgery and found those to be a pain. Others here liked them, but I purchased some garments from www.marenagroup.com that I absolutely loved and have purchased some new ones for my revision surgery.

There is swelling in the hands after surgery, but it doesn't last more than a week or two. The worst of it resolved within a week. My fingers looked like sausages!

Wearing my garments helped a lot with the swelling and the feeling that my arms were foreign.

Good Luck! You're going to love your results!

Ive lost 70lbs since mine were done and I've got a lot of excess skin again - so I am looking forward to my revision!

 Thanks for the information-it is truly helping me get my head in the right place for this.

To answer your question about why the brachio now instead of waiting until goal-  My arms are really, really bad.  and I really am not just saying that.  I know there are people out there that understand what I'm talking about. The loose skin hangs about 8 inches from the rest of my arm.  

I have had two different plastic surgeon consults and both doctors said that there is only a little fat on my arms- the top portion actually has some definition.  They both felt that I would have good results at this point.  And I truly trust both of their opinions. 

We spend a lot of time at the pool and beach during the summer.  Before I was a large person with large arms.  This summer I would be a "normal" size person with huge hanging arms.  I just don't want to do that.  Now is the best time to do it because it gives me a few months to recover before swim time.

Thanks again!

Hi, 
If it's any consolation, my arms sound like yours although my left arm is worse than my right.  I have also had a consultation because I would like my arms done now even though I am not done losing.  I think that the quality of life will be much better once the excess skin has been removed.  I am always dressing to accommodate the extra skin which is tough.  

Best of luck to you.  I hope your recovery is quick and painless.  I will be watching for your updates.  

Thanks 

I had an arm lift in November 2009.  My words of wisdom - several days before the surgery start taking stool softeners,  have enough supplies (food, medicine, etc) on hand for at least a week, put everything at counter height, if you need pain medication take it, and when you're up walking around have your cell phone with you.  My incisions went from below my elbow, up my arm, and down my side about 8 inches.  I went home the same day with ace bandages covering the incisions which I was allowed to remove the next day.  I could bend my elbows the first day but it was a little difficult with the bandages - make sure you have a few straws on hand.  My arms were really bruised and it was difficult to lift them over my head for the first few weeks.  I didn't have any drains and my doctor doesn't recommend compression for the arms (some do and some don't).  I went back to work after a week and a half but only worked half days the first week.  My incision opened slightly under one arm - the doctor said to leave it alone and it would close on its on - which it did..  My arms did and occasionally do still swell after working out.  For the first three months I would get a sharp pain every once in awhile but it only lasted a second.  Today the incision is slight a little tender to the touch - I still wear fabrics that are soft.  The scar is very light (almost white) and probably no one really notices it but me.  I can also tell you that I used ever scar cream any one recommended and spent a small forture - I had a TT a few month later and did use any creams and that scar looks exactly the same as my arms.  I no longer have to shave under my arms!  Would I do it all again - YES!  Good luck. 

The healing does take some patience but it was well worth it in the end. I was off pain meds after a few days. Dressing and showering required being careful and going slow at first.  It gets better day by day. The soreness continued for a number of weeks but it was more discomfort than pain.  I could sleep at night etc.

Be sure you prop your arms on some pillows to help with the swelling. I used ace bandages the first few days to help when the swelling was at its worst and then switched to marena arm garments that went to my elbows a couple of more weeks. The worst of my swelling was the first week or so. Just be careful not to reach too far once you start feeling better. You can still open your incisions once the surface looks healed.

Good luck!

 Thank you everyone for the information and advice. I really greatly appreciate it!
I'm not really worried about the pain, more so the inability to do things on my own and do the regular things around the house. I'm the one who cooks, washes, drives the kids around to and from school etc. I guess they will just have to deal for a week or two. I am a nurse and work twelve hour night shifts, but will be taking at least 4 if not 6 weeks off-so I should be okay there.

Also I'm not telling any family (except husband/kids) about the procedure. Do you guys think it is feasible to keep it quiet if I don't see anyone for a couple of weeks? I usually wear long sleeves, I'm just wondering if the swelling in my arms and fingers are going to be too noticeable? If I have to tell them I will, just trying to avoid it at this time (im a very private person-only a few select people know that I've had wls-not even my father).

How long was it before you guys drove?

Anyway thank you again for the advice, if you think of any other suggestions keep them coming.

I think you can hide it, especially if you are not seen for a few weeks. I told everyone I was having a hernia repair but I never mentioned my LBL and arm lift done at the same time - no one has noticed. Funny because I really noticed and so did DH - I went from size large tops into size small just because of my arms and I finally look really thin. People have been seeing me melt as I shed the weight but they don't remember the details so it all blends into the category of my shedding weight and not plastic surgery.

I was able to blame the limit of my lifting on the hernia repair as they have similar requirements - I don't know what you will be able to say to mask that or just avoid situations where you will have to lift more than you are allowed during the initial healing of 6-8 weeks.

Edited to add - I didn't have any swelling in my fingers and hands after the first two days post op. That initial swelling was due to all the sodium they pumped into me during surgery (lactated ringers solution).  I have been extremely careful to limit my sodium intake and it has made a huge difference to keep my swelling minimal and my Dr noticed and commented at my early appointments. No one, including the manicurist who does my nails weekly has noticed anything and she massages my hands as part of the treatment.