Wrong to be upset?

I'm not happy with results from my brachioplasty.  Dr says he removed all he could safely which was 200ml each arm of lipo and 4cm of skin.  He says he can revise in a yr (don't know if that cost more yet or not)  My arms started at 15.5 inches and now measure 14.5 inches. I feel like more could have been taken.  Am I wrong?  I've downloaded pics under my profile if you could let me know what ya think maybe I won't feel robbed of $6900.00 and 4 weeks of PTO.

Your incision looks good, from what I can see, but I also think he could have taken an inch or two more. You might be very swollen still, though. I'm not sure since I have not had mine done yet. Been looking at tons of before and afters. 

I think I'd get something in writing if he wants to wait a year to revise. Most surgeons want you to come in before a year is up for revisions. 

Many doctors are very inexperienced with arms, so what happened here. I hope someone that has had it done will comment. Maybe Dr. LoMonaco will take a look at your pictures and give his opinion since he appears to visit this board from time to time. 

At any rate, sorry you are not happy. Can't say that I blame you. That's a lot of money, for sure. Hope it gets worked out. 

Let me say that I am 5 weeks out on my PS (not Brachio) but I am so swollen.. I imagine you are as well. I certainly can not even think of a revision at this point. I would wait at least 8 weeks... If you arent happy then I would do the revision at the 6 mos point..

Its really depressing even thinking about it.. I feel like my boobs will need a revision too.. My tummy isnt flat.. I have this pooch.. its swollen too.

Michelle

Have to wait and see my arms look better but I wish they were tighter also.

Before and After


Before and After


 12 days out

After a few years (last summer)

Hi,  I'm sorry that you're not happy with your results.  Mine also are not pulled as tight as I would like, but I think that probably has something to do with blood supply etc.  My arms are 2" smaller post op at 7 weeks out.  I see that you have the small arm lift.  I'm not sure how that effects it.  My scar goes down to the elbow, which is where the drain came out.  Your arms look good and it looks like he did a good job.  Ask him at your next visit why he couldn't take off more during the initial operation.  Was this the only procedure that you had done at that time?

Thanks, I just expected more. My arms were first thing I wanted done b/c I have to buy clothes for my arm size. As I was losing fat left everywhere BUT my arms! I see him again tomorrow. We'll see....

I had a brachio done on the 6th and I have an incision from elbow to inside of axilla.  I am very happy with my results.  With the length of your incision, I don't know how your PS expected to get get better results in removing more bulk.  It would have just been one section of your arm that  would have been reduced.  I hope you can figure out what needs to be done to make you happy.  You paid for it.

 I am sorry you are displeased with your results!!

I, too, am surprised that your surgeon decided to use the shorter incision instead of a longer one. I would have thought that your incision would have at least gone to your elbow.   My PS went into great detail about the fact that even though it didn't seem like he would have to make such a long incision because the bulk of my problem area was up high on the arm, the incision is an ellipse. The more skin removal you want width wise, the longer the scar length wise.  I wanted a very small scar, and he was able to keep it a good 4 + inches away from my elbow, but it is longer than I was expecting when I went into my first consult.  I am SO glad he made it that long because he knew exactly what he was talking about.

Obviously there could still be some swelling going on right now for you, but honestly I think you are completely justified in not being totally okay with your results.  I think your surgeon could have definitely taken off more skin.  I think that would have required a longer incision though.  The only thing I am not sure about is maybe because of the amount of Lipo he did, he wasn't able to take off any more weight in actual skin than he did.  My PS took 50cc's out of one arm and 75 cc's out of the other with lipo.  Maybe that is why he was able to take more actual skin.  I have no clue if that is even a factor in any of this... just a thought??

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this!  I can't imagine being displeased with my plastic surgery results after all the pain and $ that went into it. 

Wishing you all the best!

ps. here is a pic of my before and after (12 days post-op).  My surgeon took of a good bit of the width of my arm.  I honestly didn't even think to measure them before surgery :(... now they are about 10.5"

Oh, the short incision is NOT what I had expected. At preop visit it went almost to elbow. Didn't realize till dressings were removed how short it was. He says that is the "money" area whatever that means. He says since I wanted inner incision he couldn't take as much.

I am so sorry that you are disappointed.  I really do think you are justified in your feelings and he needs to make you happy!  I think you said you see him today..right?  I would tell him exactly how you feel and that you want it fixed!  Get a plan before you leave!!  When can he fix it.  I know it is a pain because you already went thru this but you deserve to get the results you want and that you paid for.  Per persistant!  good luck and keep us posted

Patty