TT and Arm Lift March 26th Questions

My doc is supplying the compression garmet for my TT but not the arm lift. He said get the kind that golfers wear on their arms. I'm not sure I want to do that. They look like they would be hot. So I need suggestions for a good arm compression garmet. Also I need to know if the compression garmet has to go all the way down my arms or if I should get the kind that only goes to the elbows? How long after surgery are they worn??

Any suggestions for items I may need for either surgery???? I did get a raised toilet seat and a bed wedge pillow? Any suggestions for creams for healing or meds to take for swelling and bruising? What am I not thinking of that I need??

Thanks so much for your help!!

Kathy

http://marenagroup.com/store/entity/tabid/198/c-4-womens-vests-and-sleeves.aspx

Here are various arm compression garments.  The ones at the bottom of the page are probably the type you need.  I don't know about length - check with your doc.

I had a lower body lift.  Didn't need the seat riser, but having a bunch of pillows was a big help.  I used them in bed and in whatever chair I was in to shift pressure points around.  Along with the bed wedge, get one of those little half circle travel pillows.  I didn't use anything special for bruising.  Doc recommended Vitamin C, which I took.  And I seriously increased my protein intake - back to protein drinks and bars - to help the healing.

I had a an extended TT with lipo and fat transfer into my button... I didnt buy anything special pillow/toilet seat wise. I will say having a hand held shower head helped because you will be hunched over for quite some time... you cant take baths until the incisions heal so I would sit in the shower and use the handheld to wash.

My PS had me take VitaMedica before and after surgery, they have special vitamins for people having surgery, he also had scar cream to use after. My PS moved and I just had a consult yesterday with another and they also use VitaMedica and dr perscribed scar cream... I am surprised your sugeon doesnt?

Thank you both for the information. No my surgeon didn't tell me to take anything special or use any scar creams. I did ask him about taking Arnica and he said yes and to start taking it 1 week before surgery. Do you know what the best scar cream would be and when I would be allowed to start applying it?

Thanks again,

Kathy

I've had to do a lot of experimenting to find good compression after the armlift.  Some people have good luck using Ace bandages.  I've had some success by cutting up some compression tights to fit my arms.  I also have ordered some arms sleeves that were intended for football players - haha - and those were much cheaper than anything advertised as "post-op" wear. 

But my go-to compression is a 3/4 sleeve garmet with a bra, exactly like the one linked above.(http://marenagroup.com/store/entity/tabid/198/c-4-womens-vests-and-sleeves.aspx)

How long the sleeves need to be depends on how far the surgery goes.  There are short armlifts, standard, and extended.  Mine goes to my elbow and 3/4 sleeve is best.  Although, I do get bad swelling in my forearms and sometimes I like to have a full-sleeve compression to help with the forearm swelling.

Sounds like you are ready for your surgery, pretty much!  How exciting!  I'm having an extended tummy tuck coming up soon.  The only thing I did that you haven't done is rented a lift chair.  I don't think it's a necessity, but I've heard that it allows for a bit more independence a little bit early, and it just makes getting up and down more comfortable.     It was only $200 for an entire month, so I thought it was worth it.  Anything to make that first month of recovery a little bit bearable is worth it!

I'm not taking any meds for healing, but I am using mederma on my armlift scar.  I also got some silicone sheeting that I plan to use on my arms soon, and possibly on my ETT later. 

I used Ace bandages on my arms for the first week or so (that's what I left the hospital wearing), then after that I wore a long-sleeve Under Armour shirt for support. I didn't really need compression, but the shirt helped.

If you stay overnight at Barix, see if they'll give you another TT garment. They did that for me (the nurses there are great, as you know) and it was nice to have one to wear and one to wash. Otherwise, they sell them at the PS practice, and I also bought one on Amazon that was the same brand.

I didn't use anything special on my incisions. You have to wait until they're closed up before you can apply anything anyway. I used Palmer's cocoa butter on my TT incision last year, and with this round I've been using coconut oil. They're all fading nicely. I think the important thing is to keep everything moisturized so it doesn't itch!

Make sure you have gauze and tape at home. I had no idea how much of that I would need later.

I ended up not using the raised toilet seat, and I slept in a recliner for about a month, then used the wedge pillow once I slept in my own bed again. Mostly I needed it as a reminder to sleep on my back and not roll over to my side, like I usually do.

You are in very good hands and I'm sure your surgery will go very well. Best wishes with it!

Hi Lesley,

Thanks so much for the info. I'm not supposed to be staying overnight at Barix. Was that planned for you in advance or did something from your surgery make you have to stay? I'm getting really nervous about the pain factor but I'm hopeful it will be manageable. I will be so happy to be rid of ulcers, rashes, and infections though. How long did your drains have to stay in??

Take care and thanks again,

Kathy

There was nothing wrong from my surgery. It was approved by insurance as day surgery, but my TT was rather extensive, so the hospital called insurance and asked them to approve a one night stay. When I had my BR, arms, and thighs done, it was the same scenario, and I was glad to have the time in the hospital. They have better pain meds there!

The pain factor isn't fun, but it will be very much worth it. With the TT, the pain was bad for about a week, then it got much easier. And the arms were very, very easy. My drains stayed in my arms for one week, and I had them for two weeks with the TT. People complain about them, but they're really not bad at all. They look funny, but they don't hurt.

Thanks Lesley,

Ok so I guess I won't be getting the better pain meds at the hospital then because I won't be staying lol. I did ask DR. Lam to look into the On Q Pain Pump for my tummy tuck. I haven't heard back from him yet on that though. Some people have said it works fantastically and some say it doesn't make a difference. I want one just in case it does make a difference.

How long was it with your arm surgery before you could comb your hair?? I was wondering how I was going to be able to do those kinds of things. Were you only able to wear button down shirts? If so for how long?

Thanks for letting me pick your brains.

Thanks again,

Kathy

I didn't get the pain pump, and like you, I've heard mixed things. It can't hurt, though! I relied on percocet both times once I went home, and it worked very well.

I think it was about two days or so before I could comb my hair. The night I had surgery, I didn't even try. They brought me soup but I couldn't bend my arm the right way to get the spoon to my mouth so my mom had to help me, but by the next morning when I had breakfast I was able to pick up the fork and eat the eggs they brought me. The day after surgery I was also able to brush my teeth.

It's definitely easier to wear button-down or zip-front shirts the first few days. My surgery was on a Thursday and by Sunday I was wearing a regular shirt, but it's important that the sleeves are nice and loose over the bandages on your arms. I went to Walmart and bought some long-sleeve Hanes t-shirts to wear. I figured they were cheap so I wouldn't care if anything happened to them, and they're cotton so they're nice and comfortable. I bought them a size or two bigger than I normally wear so that the sleeves would be loose.

I'm so excited for you! And you're in such good hands with Dr. Lam and Bucks County plastics -- they really are the BEST.