Arm lift before & after photos
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29 reviews
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Arm Lift Cost $9,400 average cost

Flappy Arms Are Gone

19 posts
Comments (40)
Updated 23 Feb 2011
Posted 4 Aug 2009
Worth It
Spent: $3,600 in Bel Air, Maryland

I had my brachioplasty done 4 months ago. I am extremely happy with the results.

The worst part of the whole ordeal were the drains and the swelling. The drains were only in for about 1 week and the swelling lasted about 4 weeks before it wasn't noticable anymore. The pain was very mild.

Yes, I have a scar down the inside of both arms, but I was aware of it going into this procedure, and like my doctor said, you have to be willing to trade off the flappy skin for the scar. My doctor did a fantastic job of placing the scar on the underside of my arms, and unless I raise my arms, you can't see the scar.



Updated on 13 Feb 2011:


Updated on 23 Feb 2011:

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

Jeffrey Horowitz, MD

My Doctor: Jeffrey Horowitz, MD

My rating:
Dr. H is a very caring compassionate doctor. With my initial consulatation, he took the time to answer all my questions and concerns. I booked my procedure right away, and I was scheduled for surgery the next month. Dr. H called me the evening before surgery to ask if I had any last minute questions or concerns, and he also called me the evening of my surgery to see how I was feeling. I have had alot of surgeries in my life, but I have never had a doctor take the time to personally call to check up on me like that, and I was extremely impressed with the fact that Dr. H took the time to do this. I have never had any problem getting appts. with him, or getting any questions answered. I had one concern after my procedure and I called his office about it. He personally called me back within 5 minutes and had me come right into his office to get checked out. It turned out to be nothing, but he showed me that he would find the time to check it out and ease my worries. I have a tummy tuck procedure coming up with Dr. H in September, and I would strongly recommend him to anyone who is looking for the one of those doctors who truly cares about his patients and their well being.
Vote: 11 members found this review helpful

Comments (40)

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KweenBee (1 post) 27 Oct 2009
Thank you Cindy for sharing your experience. The cost and details of your surgery are very helpful.You have dispelled any concerns I have had about the results of such a surgery.
Cindy4287 (19 posts) 28 Oct 2009
My pleasure. I have always found it helpful to read others experiences on surgery that I may be thinking about having. I was happy to share, and I still am. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.
LisaLisaLisa (5 posts) 30 Sep 2010
Cindy, Was this out paitent surgery? What hospital did you use? I'm in Burtonsville and might want to have the same procedure later next year.
Cindy4287 (19 posts) 30 Sep 2010
Yes, this procedure was done as an outpatient in a Surgical Center in Aberdeen, Maryland. I cannot stress how pleased I am with the outcome of my surgery. This summer has been the first time, since I can't remember when, that I have not been embarrassed about wearing sleeveless tops. Good luck to you and the decisions you make regarding surgery. Let me know if you have any more questions. I am always happy to share my experience with others.
shugal1 (19 posts) 12 Oct 2010
so you haven't had any problems with numbness in the hands or fingertips?
Cindy4287 (19 posts) 13 Oct 2010
I experienced some slight numbness on the inside of my lower arms right after the surgery (and I wasn't even cut there), but it's been a year now and I don't have any numbness at all. Some numbness is to be expected since nerves are being cut, but I never did have any in the hands or fingertips.
magsmags4 (1 post) 16 Nov 2010
Thanks for sharing your experience! How are your scars now? I am considering having this done in January and will be getting married in July. I'm debating whether it's worth the risk of having a huge red scar at my wedding or having the "flappy" arms that I have now!
Cindy4287 (19 posts) 17 Nov 2010
My scars have blended in quite well to the rest of my arm. Now don't get me wrong, you can still tell there are scars down my arms, but they aren't puffy or swollen anymore, and the redness has disappeared. If I had a choice on my wedding day, I would have the scars showing rather than the flappy arms. Good luck.
Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager - 4,028 posts) 15 Feb 2011

Thanks for the update, Cindy. Wow, what a difference. Did the incisions heal well?

Cindy4287 (19 posts) 23 Feb 2011
Yes, my incisions healed very nicely. I had internal stitches, so there was nothing to have taken out on the outside, which was great, and I think it made a huge difference in the way the scar turned out.
LisaLisaLisa (5 posts) 15 Feb 2011
Cindy - any updated photos? Glad to hear you are doing well.
Cindy4287 (19 posts) 23 Feb 2011
I will post more recent photos in the next few days.
Wajeeha (5 posts) 20 Feb 2011
Looking good Cindy! Like you, I can't wait for summer... I have not had on sleeveless clothes in over 30 years!
vicki932 (6 posts) 27 Feb 2011
Cindy -

Thank you so much for sharing your story, and posting such great photos. Your scars are scary right after your surgery, but now they are barely noticeable. I am seriously considering the surgery, but am terrified if something went wrong. I have no idea how often someone dies from the surgery - or how often complications after surgery continue in the persons life. Any plastic surgery or surgery has its risks, I know.

My question to you is mainly on cost and time off work. I've read that the cost is about $2000 to $3000, depending on where you live in the country, so am wondering why your surgery was near 10k. Also - you said yours was outpatient surgery, but I've read that generally after surgery one must remain in the hospital for two days. I thought $3,000 was not much for having 2 days in the hospital. Wondering why laser surgery on the face is $5,000+ done in less than 30 min on average, and an arm lift would be cheaper (random thought, not really a question).

Lastly, time off work. I've read a person can return to work 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. That's a lot of time off work. Was this true in your case? I'm sure it depends on the type of work, but I work as an admin assistant, so behind a desk all day. No lifting. Just at the computer and printer, and phone.

Thank you again...and again for sharing your experience with everyone.
Cindy4287 (19 posts) 3 Mar 2011
Hi Vicki,
I guess the most important thing I can tell you about the surgery is to make sure you are comfortable with your doctor. I had all my questions answered and knew exactly what was going to happen, and what to expect before I went into it. Like you said, anytime you are put under anestesia, there is a risk. But if you have confidence in your doctor, and you are cleared by your family doctor to under go the procedure, you will be fine. It is always scarry at the thought of what you will be going thru, but in the long run it is sooooo worth it.

As far as cost and time off work, my arms cost me $3600 and my tummy tuck was around $10,000. Time off work for my arms was about 2 weeks. I work in a bank and count money all day. I could have went back sooner, but I wanted to make sure the drains were out before I went back. The worst part of the whole procedure were the drains. You have to milk them a few times a day, and that can be tricky to do with only having 1 hand to do it with. I usually waited until my husband was around to help me do this. It was much easier to do the milking when I had my tummy tuck, cause I had both hands to do it with.

I had my procedure done as an outpatient in a Surgical Center, so I came home the same day, no hospital stay.

I am so happy that I had this procedure done. I can honestly say the photos do my arms no justice, they look great, and the scar has even started to fade.

Good luck to you and please feel to contact me anytime.
vicki932 (6 posts) 27 Feb 2011
Oh sorry - just noticed your surgery was about 4k. It's the average cost that shows near 10k, which makes no sense to me.

But - I think you said you didn't have to stay in the hospital.

thanks again.
twin2 (1 post) 12 Jul 2011
Hi
I have considered this and i had spoke with a dr he said could have it the way u did or lazer, had you been told of the lazer? i know the results not as good but mine had recommended me the lazer, but i felt it wouldnt have been enough as he said if it didnt give me the results i wanted we could go the other way! But im like hello who wants to pay twice!!!

thanks :)
Cindy4287 (19 posts) 13 Jul 2011
Sorry, but I can't help you with the lazer...I never heard of having it done by lazer to be honest with you, and I did alot of research before I had my arms done. I'm with you when you say "who wants to pay twice...or go thru it twice."
LMull (100 posts) 5 Aug 2011
Hi Cindy, I have my arm lift scheduled for 9/1 and I am currently 9 weeks post op a VTL. Can you please tell me what I need in order to prepare for post op care? I was totally NOT prepared for the VTL when I came home.

Any details or other information you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Your arms look fantastic!!!!
Cindy4287 (19 posts) 6 Aug 2011
My biggest suggestion is to have someone around to help you strip your drains. It is much easier to have someone help you than to try to do it yourself...it's kinda hard to hold the drain at the top and strip it at the same time when both your arms are bandaged up. Other than that, I would recommend some easy to get into clothes, especially tops. Keep in mind that your arms will be bandaged from top to just below your elbow and drain tubes will be hanging from them, so you want to be able to slip clothes on over your head that are roomy and baggy...nothing tight. Other than that, I was able to use my hands and arms, just couldn't pick up anything heavier than 5 pounds for awhile. Honestly though, the hardest part was trying to dress and undress myself. I was able to cook for myself and tend to my bathroom needs (although hubby had to wash my hair for me).
So, those were the 2 most challenging parts of the whole procedure..getting dressed and undressed, and stripping those drains. Good luck to you.
Cher in Walla Walla (632 posts) 6 Aug 2011
Cindy, what do you mean by stripping the drains? I had TT and emptied my drains, but don't recall anyone saying to 'strip' them...I'm like LMull, in that I'll follow her journey and then next year get my arms done too. I like being prepared & knowing what to expect prior to procedures:)
Cindy4287 (19 posts) 13 Aug 2011
I had to strip my drains (some call it milking the drains). It helps to keep the fluid flowing freely thru the tube and helps to pull out any small clots of blood that might otherwise plug up the drains. It is much easier to do if you have someone to help you. You just hold the end of the drain that is attached at your arm (usually where it bends at) with your thumb and index finger while taking your other thumb and index finger and running it down the length of the drain tube. By doing this, it's like you are pulling the bad stuff out of your arm and forcing it down the tube into the drain. If you don't get this stuff out, it will clog your drain tube and you will start to get the fluid coming out of your arm where the tube comes out, instead of going thru the tube itself. It is much easier to strip it down if you put some lotion on your fingers first (they will just slide right down the tube). Hope this helps, and good luck.
Cher in Walla Walla (632 posts) 13 Aug 2011
Thank you, it helps a lot!
LMull (100 posts) 26 Aug 2011
Hi Cindy, I am going in for my arms on 9/2. Are there any "special items" I should be preparing for?
Any information you can provide to me would be greatly appreciated. I am 3 mos po a VTL - thought I had planned well for that and come to find out wasn't even close. Thanks in advance for any info you can give me.
Cindy4287 (19 posts) 29 Aug 2011
The only other thing that I can think of when it comes to being prepared, is to have things you might need within arms reach, you won't be able to reach up with your arms to get something off a shelf or lift anything more than 5 pounds, so that can of soup that is wayyy up there on that top shelf that you might want for lunch....get it down now.
Clothes that are easy to get in and out of, and someone to help you change would be helpful. I honestly did not have any problems taking care of bathroom needs or personal hygiene stuff...might have taken me a little longer than usual, but I did it on my own, although I did need help washing my hair. This surgery really was not that bad when it came to the pain or the healing. Be prepared for swelling issues and your arms looking horrible for awhile, but trust me, after the drains come out, and the swelling goes down and the scar starts to fade, you will very happy you did this. Good luck.

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