Brachioplasty Update

Thanks for your comments and support. I think the tingling was happening because the surgeon had told me to just use regular lotion on my scars and they were getting tight.  After I switched to some oil and another lotion without alcohol, the scars are doing better and the tingling has decreased quite a bit.  I wish someone had told me about the nerves--I would have still done the arm lift, but I would have known what to expect.

My tummy tuck is this summer, so I will have about six weeks to recover.  Good to know, though, that after four weeks things can be fairly normal again (except for feeling and looking different).

Thanks again.

I had a Brachioplasty and Mastopexy  (arm lift and breast lift) combined on February 27, 2014. The surgery went well and I stayed one night in the hospital. The pain meds kept the pain at bay. I used them for about 4 days. The worst part so far is the compression garment I have to wear 24/7 for the next 4-6 weeks. I can only sleep on my back, which is only comfortable for a short while. Just trying to get comfortable without sleeping on my sides or on my chest, what was I thinking? Honestly I question my decision, but I have lost 160 pounds and have become a group fitness instructor. The bat wings and floppy breasts were really getting in the way. I know patience is the key, but the limited mobility has me climbing the walls! Thanks to all of you that have made this journey ahead of me and have posted their experiences.

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Congratulations on your tremendous weight loss and for taking this next step.  I also questioned my decision about doing  brachioplasty for the first 2-3 weeks because of the tingling sensations in my arms and extreme limitations of movement, sleeping, and use of my arms. It's been almost 3 months, and I'm glad I had the surgery. There are still feelings and limitations that I don't like, but my doctor assures me that within 6-12 months I should be "normal" again. My arms get very tingling, almost numb, if I try to life weights heavier than 1 or 2 pounds; I think because they swell again and that cuts off circulation a bit. Really, my only limitations are lifting weights.  I started sleeping on my side, then my stomach after about 7 weeks--I couldn't stand sleeping on my back. I do, however, often begin on my back with my arms propped up at the end of a long day of writing on the white board in my classroom all day. Don't worry--you'll be moving around and sleeping normally before too long. And you may find you even miss the security and comfort of the compression garment.  I actually began wearing ACE bandages after two weeks, but I missed them when the doctor told me I could quit wearing them. I liked the secure, tight feeling on my scars.

But, boy, do I love looking at my arms! I have worn short sleeves a couple of times (something I never did before), and people say they can't see the scars--thank heavens. Good luck in your recovery. Keep in touch.