Opinion please?

Linda R.
on 7/23/11 7:04 am - Ottawa, Canada

Hello everyone,

I am heading soon for plastic surgery. All in all, I need to have my tummy done, breast lift, and also my arms. I have opted to have two surgeries done at once to save costs. At this moment in time, I am scheduled for the tummy tuck and breast lift on 27 September. I am torn now because I just hate my arms and wonder if I should change my first surgery to getting my arms done with a breast lift, and have the tummy tuck done later. I need to decide soon so I can let the surgeon know. Should I pick:

Option 1: Tummy tuck and breast lift done first, then arms done at a later date? or

Option 2: Breast lift and arms done first, then tummy tuck done at a later date?

With all the plastic surgery experience on this board, I thought I would post a message and seek your thoughts and/or views on my two options as to what way is the best to go.

Thanks in advance.

Take care...Linda

Weight: Highest 332, Consult 303, Surgery 288, Current 162, Goal 152 - I LOVE MY VSG!!
VSG - 29 Jul 2008. Tummy Tuck & Breast Lift - Sep 2011, Arm Lift - Nov 2012 (Dr. H. Silverman, Ottawa)

cyndi U.
on 7/23/11 7:07 am - forney, TX

I had a LBL, thigh lift, & am scheduled 8/26 for my breasts & arms. I couldn't decide between the 4 areas & 2 surgeries! I hated them all! I had the LBL & thighs done first, now I'm fixing to do the arms/breasts. I love the LBL & thighs, but HATE now the arms/breasts, they have been killing for the 3 month wait between surgeries. I finally had to just tell my Dr. to choose, it was a toss up. Good luck!

Cyndi U
Gastric Bypass, Dr. Daniel Jones, Dallas, 2003
LBL, Lipo, Butt Aug, Full Thigh Lift, hernia repair - 5/5/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Echo & Dr. Bullocks
BL/BA, brachioplasty - 8/26/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Lee & Dr. Bullocks

Linda R.
on 7/23/11 7:17 am - Ottawa, Canada

VSG on 07/29/08

Thanks so much for your response.

How did you find the thigh lift...was it painful? I have read that it is the most painful. I might get that done as well...not sure yet.

Good luck with your next surgeries...you will look like a million bucks. Good for you.

Take care...Linda

Weight: Highest 332, Consult 303, Surgery 288, Current 162, Goal 152 - I LOVE MY VSG!!
VSG - 29 Jul 2008. Tummy Tuck & Breast Lift - Sep 2011, Arm Lift - Nov 2012 (Dr. H. Silverman, Ottawa)

cyndi U.
on 7/23/11 10:20 am - forney, TX

The thighs were the most painful & seemed hardest for me to heal! I was a little disappointed in their outcome after all that pain but when I was in Houston Monday for my next preop he said my thighs are still VERY swollen & I'll still see alot better results in the months to come. My knees just still seemed "big" to me, but he said that's where I'm holding a lot of fluid so give it a while.

The main problem I had w/my thighs were at the top of my thighs, I had the incision tear open about 3 places (2 on right thigh, 1 on the left) about 1/2" each. They were very painful when trying to walk. I tried every compression garment I could find & would end up taking them off because they hurt. I know others on here advised me to wear them as they'd help, but for me they didnt, everyone's just different.

I'm very proud I did it now, but it was more painful than the LBL.

Good Luck!

Cyndi U
Gastric Bypass, Dr. Daniel Jones, Dallas, 2003
LBL, Lipo, Butt Aug, Full Thigh Lift, hernia repair - 5/5/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Echo & Dr. Bullocks
BL/BA, brachioplasty - 8/26/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Lee & Dr. Bullocks

cyndi U.
on 7/23/11 10:23 am - forney, TX

Also, now that I'm thinking about your options. I would've probably done the arms & tummy first, breasts last. The extra skin just drives me crazy, the boobs you can camoflouge more for the later surgery. In my case, I had thighs also. He thought it would be better the way I went for me because I was doing lower body first, then upper body second, which helps some w/mobility.

Just an after thought!

Cyndi U
Gastric Bypass, Dr. Daniel Jones, Dallas, 2003
LBL, Lipo, Butt Aug, Full Thigh Lift, hernia repair - 5/5/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Echo & Dr. Bullocks
BL/BA, brachioplasty - 8/26/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Lee & Dr. Bullocks

zzroged
on 7/23/11 12:49 pm, edited 7/23/11 12:51 am - United Arab Emirates

Hi - I had my TT and Breast lift 3 months ago, followed 7 weeks later by my arm and thigh lift.

Personally I think this was a good choice as I needed to use my arms quite a lot to help me move around to compensate for my tummy muscles when I had the TT.

I did see one surgeon who said he could do all 3 procedures - TT, arms and breasts together - but I thought that this was too much in 1 surgery for me.

Arms and breasts would be a good combination if that's what bothers you the most.

My surgeon said he could do any combination I wanted - after polling on here - I went for tummy and breasts and didn't regret that - but I agree with other posters - you can hide breasts easier than arms.

I agree with Cindi - the thighs were the worse/hardest to recover from - I'm 6 weeks out today and just about feel that my mobility is back to normal on the thighs - I also had a few issues with one of my incisions coming apart and also had a large hematoma in my thigh - I'm pleased with the results and wouldn't change that - but it was harder than I thought it would be in recovery terms.

Good luck - let us know what you decide.
Debbie

PS - I've blogged about my plastics so feel free to read my blog if you want.

New Group : UAE_Dubai_Forum for people living in the UAE/Middle East

         TT & Breast Lift Apr 2011 - Inner Thigh Lift & Arm Lift - Jun 2011
      First - 10k Jan 2011 : First - 1/2 Marathon Feb 2011

Linda R.
on 7/23/11 1:05 pm - Ottawa, Canada

VSG on 07/29/08

Thanks Debbie.

I thought the same thing you mentioned. That I would need my arms for getting up and down after the tummy tuck and breast lift. It makes more sense that's for sure.

As for my thighs getting done...I am still not sure about that part. My arms are a definite YES, but the thighs I am worried more about. I am an older wls patient, so it sure isn't that I need to have great legs for a bikini...lol They just look so bad...but they won't be out in public that's for sure.

The arms are another thing. I would love to wear a nice sundress one day and not have to worry about the ugly bat wings. When I was heavy, I wore sleeveless tops even with my big arms, it bothered me a little, but not the way it bothers me now to see.

Thanks for your input...it is much appreciated. And congratulations on your surgeries being completed...speedy recovery.

Take care...Linda

Weight: Highest 332, Consult 303, Surgery 288, Current 162, Goal 152 - I LOVE MY VSG!!
VSG - 29 Jul 2008. Tummy Tuck & Breast Lift - Sep 2011, Arm Lift - Nov 2012 (Dr. H. Silverman, Ottawa)

Laura in Texas
on 7/23/11 12:57 pm

RNY on 09/17/08

What combination does your surgeon prefer? Most have a preference on what they think works best together. I had my arms done first because I could hide everything else with shapewear. I just had a lbl and bl 3.5 weeks ago. Next I will get implants and he will remove my side boobage at that time.

Laura

Laura in Texas

53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)

RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis

brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco

"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."

Linda R.
on 7/23/11 1:13 pm - Ottawa, Canada

VSG on 07/29/08

Thanks Laura.

To be honest, I never asked my surgeon what he felt should be done first. He asked me what I wanted done...I said first my tummy, my breasts and my arms at a later date. So he gave me the prices for the tummy and breast and told me that combining would save some money...and I went with that. He looked at my arms and told me what he could do there as well. I think I will call his office on Monday and get the opinion of his "girl Friday"...get some feedback on other patients and what they did first, etc.

Oh decisions, decisions.

Thanks again and I will keep you all posted.

Linda

Weight: Highest 332, Consult 303, Surgery 288, Current 162, Goal 152 - I LOVE MY VSG!!
VSG - 29 Jul 2008. Tummy Tuck & Breast Lift - Sep 2011, Arm Lift - Nov 2012 (Dr. H. Silverman, Ottawa)

Jujuvee
on 7/23/11 7:58 pm

I'm scheduled for Nov 8th and my surgeons reccomendation was LBL and arms, with the breast implants and thighs on the second surgery.

I like his idea!

HW 405- Pre op weight 374- Plastics weight 203 Current weight 194

Circumferential lift/Brachioplasty November 8, 2011
16.3 pounds removed.

Revisions + Thighplasty October 23, 2012

Breast lift- Spring 2013

Opinion please?

Our Mission

Follow us

Links

Select Photos

Opinion please?