Question:
My wings are starting to look bigger than batmans!

I am 1 year post op and have lost about 100 pounds, I am so frustrated because I finally am feeling healthy (that is most importaint) but I have to constantly have to watch the length of my tops because of all the excess skin I have under my arms( I feel very frustrated and at times depresed), does any one have suggestions? has any one had surgery for this and what is the cost? I've considered checking prices in MX but am afraid to do that, any suggestions? Thank you to all of you this site is the bomb!!    — elizabethgc (posted on November 30, 2009)

November 30, 2009
I've got the same problem. I wish I could afford surgery, but the prices quoted by the plastic surgeon who came and spoke to our pre-op support group were way beyond my reach. I just make sure that I wear shirts that come down close to my elbow. I've never been one for tank tops or spaghetti straps, anyways. Maybe someday I'll be able to afford to have the excess skin removed, but I think I'd be more apt to have the excess abdominal skin removed instead. I understand the underarm surgery is extremely painful. I guess the abdominal one is, too... I know you have to wear support garments for months after the surgery. But the thing is, once your skin is stretched out and scarred by stretch marks or has just plain lost its elasticity due to our aging process, there's not much you can do about it.... so right now, I just smile and live with it. In the long run, my bat-wings are more a badge of courage and hard work than something to be ashamed of.
   — Erica Alikchihoo

November 30, 2009
I'm sure I am going to feel the same way but the surgeon said that the scars are bad because of gravity and the healing is hard so I'm going to really have to consider it for a long time. I scar really badly anyway.
   — kmom1420

December 1, 2009
You should check out the plastic surgery chat site they may know more. i really need to have some done but money is the big problem.
   — trible

December 1, 2009
I have not yet had the surgery but my sister did. She has lost I think about 140 lbs. She has A LOT of skin on her and under her arms. She wears a shaper for her body - I belive she ordered it - two piece, and for her arms, she actuslly cut arms from a black shirt that came down like 3/4 sleeves and then the shirt she is wearing, she pinned it in to make it look like she is wearing a layered look. So when she wears t-shirts or shorter sleeves, she attaches these cutoff sleeves into it and you can;t see her arms. On the shapers, she said they were hot (
   — Ambria

December 1, 2009
I have not yet had the surgery but my sister did. She has lost I think about 140 lbs. She has A LOT of skin on her and under her arms. She wears a shaper for her body - I belive she ordered it - two piece, and for her arms, she actuslly cut arms from a black shirt that came down like 3/4 sleeves and then the shirt she is wearing, she pinned it in to make it look like she is wearing a layered look. So when she wears t-shirts or shorter sleeves, she attaches these cutoff sleeves into it and you can;t see her arms. On the shapers, she said they were hot (
   — Ambria

December 1, 2009
Sorry for this second post but it sent when I was not finished. I have not yet had the surgery but my sister did. She has lost I think about 140 lbs. She has A LOT of skin on her and under her arms. She wears a shaper for her body - I belive she ordered it - two piece, and for her arms, she actuslly cut arms from a black shirt that came down like 3/4 sleeves and then the shirt she is wearing, she pinned it in to make it look like she is wearing a layered look. So when she wears t-shirts or shorter sleeves, she attaches these cutoff sleeves into it and you can;t see her arms. On the shapers, she said they were hot (we live in Florida) and they take time to undo such as going to the bathroom, but she likes them. I hope this helps.
   — Ambria