Questions to ask my Dr. tomorrow about my upcoming arm lift?

Hi all,

I have scoured these boards pretty carefully as I prepare for an arm lift in a few weeks, and compiled the questions that I have for my appointment with my surgeon tomorrow (he did my LBL and BL in March). If you have any to add, please chime in!

Will my armpit sweat glands be removed?

Will my armpit hair follicles be removed (please god, yes!)?

Will I have drains?

Where will my exact incision be?  [I have read people say have them between two muscles as opposed to the back of the arm?]

How long before I can work out again?

Will I have to use/should I use silicone gel?

How long will they be tightly wrapped?

I am having the surgery on a Thursday afternoon, will be home that night, and my mom will be in town to help out until Monday (I am taking Thursday afternoon and Friday off of work, will work from home on my computer the entire following week).  Any other questions or considerations, please send them my way.  Thanks, all!

Emily

Ask how far will the incision will go on both ends. Mine is from my elbow to about 5 inches down my side. If you have any fat in the back (bra bulge area) and his incision goes down past your armpit, ask him if he can remove it.

Sounds like you have everything covered. I was wrapped tight like a mummy for the first 3 days down to my finger tips. It helped reduce swelling.

So happy for you!! I knew you would want your arms done 

Laura - you were so right.  I hate the thought of scars but my scars from March are looking pretty good so I am hopeful.  I can't wait to have arms that are not hanging and dimpled!  Your arms are totally my inspiration :)

Edit to correct spelling...

Excellent list!

I had similar questions and I actually asked three different surgeons, interesting how they were a little different for each of them.

In my case for my brachioplasty this Thursday (wow, it's so close now!)

-no drains

-no bandages, only tape

-I can shower on day two (yay!)

-two surgeons including the one that performed my surgery said they do their best not to remove all sweat glands, your body needs them 😟

-hair follicles, most but not all, damn!

I can use arnica cream or gel after about ten days. I never tried that with my tt. Have you heard of arnica? Not sure if it works?

I used bio-oil and love that stuff, my tt incision looks great! I still use it daily and really like the feel of the oil.

-my surgeon is going to do more lipo on my flanks and tummy and going to try to bring the incision down to my bra line to pull in all my skin that literally hangs, ugh. I know it may not look great but I think it will be better than all the skin.

They all have different reasons for what they do. You have had an excellent experience already with your surgeon, you can trust him 👍🏻

Interested to hear his answers.

Take care,

Annette 

Interesting!  I will be sure to circle back with my surgeon's answers later today :)  I am curious how similar or different they will be.  Good luck this week!!!

Crap, I missed this and I'm using the same surgeon as you in Dec.  If you end up touching base with him again before surgery, it would be worth knowing what your expected range of motion will be after surgery and how long it takes to get full range back.  Also, since this is really only skin surgery and not muscle tightening, can they confirm that really the only restriction is range of motion?  Like will it still be easy to use your arms in a pushing/pulling/lifting capacity for using the muscles (well, aside from any general weight restrictions due to surgery in general).

Would absolutely love to get progress updates and answers since, like I said, I'm getting my LBL, BL, and arms done in Dec by your doc as well!

God I love him so much!  I had such a great consult.  I feel 100% confident going in next month.

Sadly I didn't see this until after my consult so I am not sure about it - he said I would have some discomfort, will have to keep my arms elevated and wrapped in Ace bandages, and no working out my arms until 4-6 weeks after, but I can do stationary bike and walks as soon as I feel able.

You will have a pre-op appointment closer to surgery to get before pics, get your Arnica tablets, and such.

I am flying to Orlando for work 17 days after surgery, and Rome a week later.  So I am making sure I am working out diligently and eating a ton of protein these weeks leading up to surgery so I am at my best when I go into surgery.  Eeek!  This is my last one THANK GOD so I just want to have it in my rearview mirror :)

So excited for you for December!

I was able to use Arnica Montana (oral sublingual tablets, homeopathic remedy) starting the day after surgery.  It's amazing stuff - my bruises from my LBL disappeared in days!  There is also arnica cream that you mentioned.  I didn't use that but hear it works well too. 

Hi Tracy,

My surgeon also gives Arnica tablets - I think I have to take 3 of them 5 times a day for the 3 days before surgery and then a few days after.  He also gives out a silicone cream so I just got a tube of that as well.

I am excited!  Only 3 weeks to go!

Double-check taking Arnica Montana prior to surgery. My preop instructions specifically said NOT to take it because it thins the blood.