“Flappy Arms Are Gone”

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.

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.

I will post more recent photos in the next few days.

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.

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.