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Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) and Upper Body Lift to Remove Excess Skin from Massive Weight Loss - Atlanta, GA

Name: Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) and Upper Body Lift to Remove Excess Skin from Massive Weight Loss - Atlanta, GA
Item: Name not provided
Author: jinxy6

ORIGINAL POST

I had an arm lift and upper body lift done on...

jinxy6January 1, 2014

WORTH IT$9,000

I had an arm lift and upper body lift done on December 10th. My surgeon used glue instead of steristrips. I have had some complications with blood flow which is causing necrotic or dead skin on the incision line on my back. I'm unsure of what to look for in order to know if I'm healing properly. Also, there are some issues with my armpit healing on the left side. I expected this to be am issue as I'm told it commonly a problem area.

Replies (20)

My Bariatric Life

January 3, 2014

I am sorry to see you are having a complication with skin necrosis. The best persons to talk to are your plastic surgeon and your PCP. I had a superficial skin necrosis on one of my arms, as you know, after brachioplasty. My plastic surgeon had me keep the area dry with a coarse-weave gauze and I increased my protein a lot (in addition to the supplements I was already taking to promote healing). Two stitches eventually spit from the arm. Once that happened the arm wound healed very quickly. All in all it took a few weeks. Are the underlying tissues healthy?

jinxy6

January 3, 2014

I have definitely increased my protein intake and resumed my vitamin levels too. I have increased my water as well. The underlying tissues are exposed but I'm not sure if it is healthy or not. I just want it stitched up again. Also, I put silverdeen on my back wound each night. I go back tomorrow to talk to her but I have a list of concerns that I need to address with her.

My Bariatric Life

January 3, 2014

Well, if it is not healthy tissue then the worst thing to do, as far as I know, is to stitch it closed. Do let me know how you make out tomorrow. I wish you good healing!

jinxy6

January 3, 2014

Thank you so much. I will keep you posted!

jinxy6

January 5, 2014

Oh, I never answered but my skin underneath is healthy and she's gonna restich on about two weeks.

My Bariatric Life

January 5, 2014

Fabulous! So you just had a superficial necrosis. Man some of the pix you see on the web of necrotic skin makes you realize just how bad it can be... In your case and mine, it looked worse than it really was. My arm wound healed really well. I am sure your back will, too.

jinxy6

January 5, 2014

Let me clarify, the skin on my armpit is the restich not the necrotic back scar, which is still healing nicely so far.

onedimsim

January 3, 2014

yes, jinxy, please do keep us posted! I talked to Dr. Fisher about the dehissance, and very little is known about why it happens to some and not others. Hopefully it is like MBL and just "looks bad" but will heal OK.

jinxy6

January 3, 2014

Thank you. Yeah, it's hard to deal with now. It's very uncomfortable under my arm. The back is fine but looks hideously zombie like. :-|

jinxy6

January 5, 2014

Thanks. I really need to get with you regarding your vitamin intake too. You seem to have loaded up with all the right stuff. I got my protein up to about 80 grams a day. I worry about my scars flattening out now.

K_at_RealSelf

January 3, 2014

Welcome and thanks for sharing with us!

I'm sorry you're having complications! Hopefully your visit with your doctor today will help address some issues. Please do keep us updated and let us know how it goes.

jinxy6

January 4, 2014

Thanks! All is well and things are healing well I am told. I feel better too!

My Bariatric Life

January 5, 2014

Oh good! I am so glad to heart this!

jinxy6

January 5, 2014

Thank you! I appreciate your comments.

jinxy6

January 5, 2014

Yes. Now it's time to think about scar therapy and what direction I want to go in.

AZDee

January 3, 2014

Thanks for sharing, so sorry you are having to deal with this, but I have learned from others here who have gone though similar experiences it looks worse than it is and will all heal and just be a memory. This can happen, I was lucky it didn't happen with my arm lift. I had bunching issues at the ends of both arms. One arm has completely evened out but the other looks like a little fix will be in order...it happens.

jinxy6

January 5, 2014

On the one with bunching what will be the guy for that?

AZDee

January 11, 2014

I think a re cut will be needed my PS said he could try a shot first, but maybe a little cut at the bottom would be the best way to handle it. I may just wait until I go back for the lower body lift to get it done...

YesIAmG

April 12, 2018

Who was your doctor? Starting my search now

UPDATED FROM jinxy6

25 days post

Brachioplasty and upper body lift 1 month update

jinxy6January 4, 2014

My PS took off the glue/tape from my arms, side boobs, and parts of my back that aren't being treated for necrotic skin. She is going to restich the armpit that came undone in time and mentioned bleaching my back to match my skin when healing completes.

I'm praying that my skin doesn't keloid and that the lumpiness from the incision goes down over time. The right side of my body heals great but this left side is a bear on my back.

Replies (1)

My Bariatric Life

January 5, 2014

oh... why is it that the armpit is being restitched?

UPDATED FROM jinxy6

28 days post

Restitched Today

jinxy6January 8, 2014

My surgeon decided to stitch my back scars again since there was so much tension from dwelling. She also decided to start the debridement process on the necrotic skin. We discovered that the tissue was very healthy underneath. I'm doing well on my protein, but we took blood samples to be sure that my iron is up to par as well. No pics yet because I have bandages until I go back Friday.

Replies (9)

My Bariatric Life

January 10, 2014

Let me know how you make out today. Good luck. What is debridement?

jinxy6

January 10, 2014

She took off the dead skin and stitched the same area over. That process of removing dead skin is called debridement. Like a scar revision. I'm back on antibiotics and she's going to restitch my pit once I can raise my arms up all the way. I've been trying every day.

My Bariatric Life

January 10, 2014

Was that painful? Wishing you a speedy recovery.

jinxy6

January 10, 2014

Nope. The restitch is on next Monday. The back was Tuesday. Nothing hurts.

onedimsim

January 10, 2014

Good deal Jinxy...glad ur surgeon is helping you! Looking forward to new pics! May I ask who your surgeon is? I live in Atlanta :-) . Alpharetta actually!

jinxy6

January 10, 2014

Dr. Marissa Lawrence. She's fantastic! I love her entire staff. I see her twice a week. My arm scars are almost invisible. I can't wait to get my breast done. I am using shea butter for my scars. My back is healing nicely.

onedimsim

January 10, 2014

I have some "bunching" too near the end of the arm :-/. Trying to massage it to see if I can lessen the tension!

BetterLiz

January 16, 2014

Oh good golly. .. im.sending you positive healing energy. I am now becoming Really terrified of having this armlift and backlift.

jinxy6

January 17, 2014

I would not be scared. It's a risk but not typically. Make sure you follow up with your doctor on everything. I'm healing well tho, honestly. Thank you for your healing wishes. That's too sweet.

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