Great question! Of course, I can only answer for myself, because everyBODY is so unique in their perceptions of pain. Let me remind you that I have fibromyalgia, which means that pain is MUCH more extreme for me. Having said that, as Dr. Katzen reminded me after my procedure (funny what we forget beforehand...) there are over 700 nerve endings in your armpit, so, yeah, it's gonna hurt a bit! And, hurt it did. I won't lie. I was in a great deal of pain -- and sometimes I wondered what the heck I'd done to myself (because during recovery, you have a LOT of time to think about things like that)...but I kept reminding myself that I was miserable with my hanging skin, which is why I had to take extreme measures to correct the problem. All-in-all, I recommend that ANYONE considering this procedure do the following:
1) Take enough time off work and do not rush the healing.
2) Make sure you have an amazing support person who can help you with even the most basic things: Like pulling your pants up and down, helping you pull a shirt over your head, changing your wraps, helping you get into and out of bed, helping you build the perfect "pillow throne" so you don't hurt when you lay back, wash your hair, etc. Don't be shy, but make sure you choose someone who isn't afraid to dive in where you need them to!
3) Follow your doctor's orders and INVEST in proper compression garments. Then, WEAR THEM! I used Juzo Sleeves and they were incredible. I had them fitted to my arms at a health supply store and I'm glad I did, because I would NEVER have known how to put them on! (Hint, you don't pull them on like socks...)
4) Be patient.
5) Understand that you will get depressed.
6) Be patient.
7) Take pain meds and don't try to be brave if it hurts. Pain only diminishes your ability to heal quickly.
Bottom line: It hurt. A lot. But I have zero regrets, my arms look incredible, and people never know I had anything done...unless I hold my arms out like I'm being crucified. And really...who does that? (Everyday, I mean.) In the end, I will say it took me a good year to really feel "normal". I know that sounds crazy, but it's true. You will be tender, and you'll itch, and you won't be able to scratch that itch because your nerves get a little scrambled up and need to reassign themselves to their new locations, but eventually, all of that stuff settles down and you forget you ever had anything done. Especially if you go to Dr. Katzen. I mean that...
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Posted to Arm and Breast Lift After Weight Loss Surgery - Beverly Hills, CA on 27 Feb 2012
Posted to Arm and Breast Lift After Weight Loss Surgery - Beverly Hills, CA on 27 Feb 2012
Great question! Of course, I can only answer for myself, because everyBODY is so unique in their perceptions of pain. Let me remind you that I have fibromyalgia, which means that pain is MUCH more extreme for me. Having said that, as Dr. Katzen reminded me after my procedure (funny what we forget beforehand...) there are over 700 nerve endings in your armpit, so, yeah, it's gonna hurt a bit! And, hurt it did. I won't lie. I was in a great deal of pain -- and sometimes I wondered what the heck I'd done to myself (because during recovery, you have a LOT of time to think about things like that)...but I kept reminding myself that I was miserable with my hanging skin, which is why I had to take extreme measures to correct the problem. All-in-all, I recommend that ANYONE considering this procedure do the following:
1) Take enough time off work and do not rush the healing.
2) Make sure you have an amazing support person who can help you with even the most basic things: Like pulling your pants up and down, helping you pull a shirt over your head, changing your wraps, helping you get into and out of bed, helping you build the perfect "pillow throne" so you don't hurt when you lay back, wash your hair, etc. Don't be shy, but make sure you choose someone who isn't afraid to dive in where you need them to!
3) Follow your doctor's orders and INVEST in proper compression garments. Then, WEAR THEM! I used Juzo Sleeves and they were incredible. I had them fitted to my arms at a health supply store and I'm glad I did, because I would NEVER have known how to put them on! (Hint, you don't pull them on like socks...)
4) Be patient.
5) Understand that you will get depressed.
6) Be patient.
7) Take pain meds and don't try to be brave if it hurts. Pain only diminishes your ability to heal quickly.
Bottom line: It hurt. A lot. But I have zero regrets, my arms look incredible, and people never know I had anything done...unless I hold my arms out like I'm being crucified. And really...who does that? (Everyday, I mean.) In the end, I will say it took me a good year to really feel "normal". I know that sounds crazy, but it's true. You will be tender, and you'll itch, and you won't be able to scratch that itch because your nerves get a little scrambled up and need to reassign themselves to their new locations, but eventually, all of that stuff settles down and you forget you ever had anything done. Especially if you go to Dr. Katzen. I mean that...
Hope this answers your question!