I had r&y ten years ago. The right time finally came, and I started my skin removal journey with the body part that affected me emotionally the most. I am day 2 out from surgery from an extended brachioplasty with pie crust stitching and two drains. Updated on 28 Jun 2024: It’s so hard not to be judgmental at this point; my mind sort of messes with me knowing I have a ways to go with recovery. Will the swelling go away and will my arms get smaller? Will the bigger/dominant arm and other elbow need revision, or did she take enough and it’s just more swollen? Will the two spots irritated by wearing a garment heal ok or open up? Am I doing everything right to heal? Will my elbows show up after all the lipo? That’s where I am today. I already look a lot better. Part of me can’t believe it finally happened. The other part of the over thinker me is playing mind games. I think the hardest day physically was stitches and drains out 24 hours after as far as “pain” or irritation. I was lucky enough to be able to do nothing for the first week; lay in my cocoon of pillows elevated and iced. Even more lucky to have really nice range of motion with both arms. Showered on day 2. Was ace bandaged or wore light sleeves until my drains/stitches were out. Switched to compression garment that isn’t bad except seams and pits are making those spots harder to heal than the rest. I have a few garments, but the one I have on photos is my favorite due to the least amount of pit pulling (I had extended and lipo). The heat sucks as far as the itchy/burny sensations I get instantly with garments on, so it’s kept me pretty homebound. I also know when I lifted or did too much when that sensation starts, or when Tylenol is wearing off. I pretty much lounge about in a maxi skirt and my compression garment. Oh yeah, keep up on stool softener before you even leave for surgery!!!! Stay on schedule for meds and include that from the get go so you can go and not pop a hemorrhoid. My surgeon did put me on antibiotics and prescription ointment at week visit when stitches/drains came out. Updated on 30 Jun 2024: I am two weeks out and had a couple of really rough days mentally/emotionally with swelling and just wondering when I’d not be in this limbo of yay! It’s gone! and when the f am I going to feel normal/see final results blues. I got into my closet and tried some things on that my arms just did not fit into or look ok in. I tried on one thing and got giddy, pretty much putting everything on that I had to squeeze my arms into or had been gifted and never have worn due to arm size. There may have been some overwhelm happy tears involved. Everything fit so differently and slid on like it probably is supposed to. I’m still in disbelief, and now motivated to get the tummy and legs done. Updated on 17 Jul 2024: Week 2.5-3 was mentally tough, as everything healed but two spots in the crease of my armpits. Not quite openings, but also not quite healed. I was leaving for Puerto Rico and freaking out about the weather (hot and compression socks) and swimming (or not ing able to). I spent my days at the beach with a swim shirt/compression shirt with no problems, was cleared to also use silicon tape, which is a game changer. It feels good and makes everything easier/freeing to deal with in general. I’d use hibiclens and prescription mupirocin ointment after getting wet during the day at the beach. My surgeon also had me on antibiotics while there to mitigate anything from if incision opened or whatnot. I did not submerge/swim in any water while away, but did get wet. I’m not sure if it’s the tape or where I’m at with healing, but the incision lines softened looked more like not so much a war zone (refer to earlier photos). I have Walgreens tape and the doctor office recommended NewGel+, which are totally different. I like each for their own reasons, but prefer the name brand to some degree; it doesn’t roll and stays in place of skin is clean and in a straight line. The Walgreens version is far more thin, but slightly wider, so really conforms to skin. But the edges roll and ends don’t bounce back like the name brand one. I think I’ve got photos from today in black shirt where the two brands are on each arm. I have the thinner six inch piece on my lower/elbow and NewGel under pit area. You might be able to zoom in to tell what’s what. (Carefully cinch sleeves up/on when going over start of where tape is so it doesn’t roll all he way up!) Mentally feeling better, just wondering when I’ll feel normal or ok enough to not wear all of this stuff (compression/tape) and deal with work clothes as August approaches.
After 10 years with my implants, and then having my breasts grow and sag after having a baby, I was very eager to have the implants removed and get a lift. I went to the surgeon who put my implants in, and his price was outrageously high ($17,000). I went to see Dr. Jennifer Hein, and she was wonderful. She is calm and kind, said my procedure would be a breeze, and the price was only $6800. It was easy to schedule and all I had to do was get an EKG and blood work before the procedure, and she wanted to see my most recent mammogram. The surgery went very smoothly. I had a lot more bruising than I expected, but I bruise easily. I was also more sore than expected, but it’s major surgery. After a couple of weeks of recovery, I was absolutely thrilled with how my breasts looked! Dr. Hein not only did a lift, but she made my nipples smaller and somehow made my breasts the same size (one was always bigger than the other). For the first time in my life, I love how my breasts look. They are lifted, round, and the perfect shape. It was 100% worth every penny!!
I feel we're never too old to give up. My arms have always been huge no matter what I've weighed. This is happening during the "pandemic"! But I'm still going thru with this for a Hopeful future. Dr Hein is meticulous and patient. She has done previous procedure on me before. Updated on 23 May 2020: Updated on 23 May 2020: The surgery went well. I am wrapped up and not in a lot of pain right now. Thankful for meds… Cannot wait to see in the next few weeks the progress. I also had my inner thighs done Updated on 23 May 2020: A little sore, and I have to take diazepam before I go to sleep sleeping on my back. Very very bruised at this point and swollen Updated on 28 Jul 2020: Swelling is down, my husband notices that my arms are much smaller! Updated on 4 Aug 2020: Believe it or not it has taken 11 weeks for things to calm down and be more the way they are supposed to including my inner thighs and flanks, my arms I love them my sleeves are no longer tight when I put shirts on. If you look closely from my back you can’t see the incision that happened underneath it is completely hidden.
Hello! I have wanted a chest since the beginning of time yet I never really developed anything that even closely gave me symmetry. I believe my breasts are tuberous (large nipples, no upper fullness, not even bottom fullness). I've kept a humerus attitude about my chest knowing that I would have the funds to make it possible one day. My initial consult is about a week from now. I am keeping my options open size wise, I just really want to even out my shape. I've had multiple family members go to this dr for various procedures. This will be a rolling post Updated on 21 Jan 2016: Made my deposit and first consultation! Surg date set! I am 5'6, ~130lbs. Doctor and I thought 400cc smooth round saline under the muscle would be the best. I haven't had the opportunity to try on a sizer. I told the Dr that bottom and upper fullness were my top priorities since I lack both. She agreed 400ccs will look great. Does anyone have a good idea of what I can size with? Right now I have my mother's bras (she had a breast aug too- 380ccs which is a D cup in her bras) to see the symmetry to the rest of my body. VERY EXCITED FOR MY SURGERY DATE! Cant wait. Updated on 7 Mar 2016: Getting nervous! Things left to do: fill prescription, purchase gause, neosporin, large bras, sports drinks. At the initial appointment consultation, my surgeon and I agreed on a 350cc fill to 400. When we took pictures on my pre surg appointment, my surgeon was concerned that 400ccs would be too large for my narrow waist and smaller frame. I do not agree with this but in the end, I trust her judgment. Updated on 15 Mar 2016: 9:am surgery, went great. In a lot of pain but that is expected. Went with 360ccs in the end so a lot smaller than the projected 325 she wanted and the 400s I wanted Updated on 16 Mar 2016: Pain is less, ROM has improved. Still need assistance from family. Updated on 18 Mar 2016: Little pain felt (when not moving), pain when moving upper body muscles. Cannot lift arms over a certain height. Cannot push/pull objects. Finally can sit up by myself (utilizing ab muscles). Still on pain medicine, plan on stopping that. Will continue pain medicine of sleeping is difficult. I am winded easily, mostly because I've been laying low for the last few days (I am a very anal type A person, it's difficult for me to relax). I can now change dressings and bras by myself. I do need help in the shower though. I have been LOVING my results, even the first day post op. They have been dropping so fast and filling out right where I wanted them to all along. All I can say is WOW. so beautiful and I am forever thankful for my surgeon. I know my breasts are still slightly swollen, I am unsure of the size. However, I have a 40 D granny bra on now and it comfortably fits my swollen chest at the moment. I will keep upstaging and answering questions as i progress. Updated on 19 Mar 2016: Swelling down. ROM increased ( I could shower and wash my hair solo). I get tired easily. One breast is dropping faster, my non-dominant side breast. Still very happy about my results. Updated on 20 Mar 2016: Hi everyone! I hope you are all appreciating my dedication to posting. I found comfort in other peoples' journeys as well. Today is my last day of rest, I will be going back to college and my part time job this week. I have not taken any more pain pills since last night. (I only took it last night because I woke up in pain and could not sleep due to it). My incision is very itchy ( GREAT HEALING SIGN!). I get my stitches out tomorrow. When I went in for my consultation, my initial goal was NOT symmetry between breasts, it was upper and lower fullness because I had absolutely none before surgery. Before surgery, one breast was higher and slightly fuller and now that the implant is in, I can still tell the difference. HOWEVER, this does not upset me one bit. I will be healing for the next year and my chest will continue to settle in. PLEASE be realistic with your expectations, discuss what you want out of the surgery. Here is a picture of me this morning when I was changing my dressings. My guess is I am about a C cup (I was hoping for a D but honestly, my skin is very taught now and I could of risked stretch marks if I went any larger) Updated on 22 Mar 2016: My incision healed faster than expected (coming from my surgeon). I'm very anal about health care and have a health care background. I must continue the neosporin ointment for the rest of the week. Continuously wear a tight bra (which is really awful compared to before, I was so tiny I never wore any lol). No breast submersion in water for three weeks, no under wire for six weeks. Immediately after getting my stitches out, I got sized at Victoria's Secret so I could purchase a wireless bra. I was sized as a 34DDD... It fit perfectly, supported my breasts and was comfortable. However I'm going to go get sized at my six week mark again, I'm thinking (and a little bit of hoping) by then my breasts will settle to a 34 DD. I can't believe I jumped from a 34 AA-A to a 34 DDD with 360ccs. Updated on 28 Mar 2016: School/work has become easier due to my muscles relaxing more. I can now sit and stand straight which helps my back. My nipples are SO sensitive- anyone else find this? Also, below my nipple my breast is numb. I'm sure it will subside eventually. I can now tell that one is dropping faster than the other, nothing that concerns me. I must continue wearing a bra constantly for one more week as the dr ordered. That pressure feels great on my breasts. The only trouble I have is sleeping. I always slept on my stomach before surgery and now I sleep elevated on six pillows plus a neck pillow. BEWARE TUMMY SLEEPERS! Updated on 7 Apr 2016: Updated on 10 May 2016: Updated on 9 Nov 2016:
Dr. Hein is terrific. I met her for a consultation and was sold. She is very pleasant, knowledgeable and confident. The surgery went really well and I am very happy with my new look. I would recommend her to anyone who is looking for a plastic surgeon. Her receptionist Cathy is also very nice and always returns calls promptly. A 10/10 experience.
I am 56 years old and it was beginning to show my age for sure. my daughter suggested that I have my jowls taken care of now so that it wouldn't look so weird if I waited till I was in my 60s I am so happy with the results thankful I did it. I was fully sedated and when I woke up I was wrapped and had no pain was sent home with some hydrocordone and was asked to keep the wounds cleaned and with some antibiotic ointment on them. Went back to the office a week later or maybe it was 10 days and she removed the staples. Updated on 20 Feb 2015: I have also lost about ten pounds!!! Updated on 22 Feb 2015: Here are some before pictures Updated on 27 Aug 2015: Here's an updated picture
In 2012 I had a breast augmentation to fix my deformed tuberous breasts. One was a small b cup that gad massive areola size and one a d cup shaped the same. I had a lift and saline implants put in 380 and 400 cc. At first I looked like Frankenstein and the pain was so bad I was sedentary for about a week before I could function. They sat super high but eventually as 6 weeks went by I loved them. The areola healed a bit uneven in size but compared to the start I was thrilled. Coming now into 2.5 years later I suffered a silent rupture to my right breast filled with 400cc. I felt like an I.v wad flowing through me and the. I noticed immediate change in the shape and feel of the breast. There was pain as if I had pulled a muscle and then a painful poking of the bag into my muscle tissue for a week. I mad an appointment with dr. Jennifer he in m.d at womens institute of cosmetic and laser surgery and she got me in right away. She recommended that I replace the implants with silicone gel and go larger a bit since my body would hold it well and to fill up the skin. She seemed confident that she knew this was best so no trusted her though I knew I didn't desire any larger. She did although say that these create a more natural and smaller look that saline so I felt reassured. She even cut out some of the badly done scar tissue from my anchor scar on the bottom and made a new much smaller and tightly stitched one. I had my surgery this morning and was totally set at ease and felt comfortable asking the questions I needed. The pain killers bound me up last surgery and they recommend me something to avoid this this time. I'm now home from surgery and can say the pain is very different than the anchor method and first time. I feel now like I might have been in a car accident and hit the steering wheel. The scars burn a little but I am able to walk around with ease. Arm movement is limited. The size is scary a bit. I know I am very swollen but I am scared if the stay this size I will feel badly about them. They are beautiful....just very large! I'm wondering what will happen! On another note my implant was so ruptured the surgeon had never seen one like that before...almost ripped totally across the bottom! She said I have some of the strongest muscles she had seen:) Also make sure you all ask about the warranty on something lounge this because I was told these were covered if anything happened in ten year and mentor would cover them for 10 years. They would also cover up to 1200 in surgical fees. But unfortunately I have to pay first and get reimbursed Updated on 5 Nov 2014: For half of the day yesterday I forgot somehow to use ice to help my swelling. That and the pain. I am still.bleeding a bit through my incisions into the gauze. I took my first shower and it felt amazing. I can not tell if much has changed. I had my husband take a few pics. Do you think these are swollen and will go down? Are they an ok size for my body?? Updated on 6 Nov 2014: Today is a bit harder because I haven't had a bowl movement yet and am too scared to take another Norco until I do. I am also worried there will be some asymmetrical results because the surgeon used the same cc implant in both when originally before ba number 1 they were a b and a d. She was aware of.this and chose this however so I am trusting her. I am just loving ice packs right now. Updated on 8 Nov 2014: Ok so I KNOW that this seems to be a common problem for women after surgery. But I have a short torso and I am really worried that I look like a short fat blob now. My hourglass doesn't exist I just have chub. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this 5 days after surgery, and not immediately after? I work as a cocktail waitress at a bikini bar so it's important for me to not look frumpy as I worry. I just really want to start being able to do cardio or squats. ANYTHING!? Also I haven't gotten the clear on intimacy yet. Husband is not too happy about that, I wonder if I should call the d.r and ask, or if I should just wait until the 12th for my first post visit. I will upload a photo from my phone of the progress. I am surprised how much motion I have while healing. There is some bruising but nothing near what I was expecting. I also have been pain killer free so that is a big one for me. :) Updated on 8 Nov 2014:
I met with Dr. Hein last week. We are so thrilled that this will be happening finally tomorrow. I have all of my supplies, and have been drinking lots of water today. I will let you know how I'm doing tomorrow night after surgery. Dr. Hein is quite the perfectionist. Having me go through all my medical records and making sure that I'm ready for surgery. She really listens to your desires and goals and is careful to explain details about the upcoming procedure. Her office is so warm and friendly Updated on 24 Jan 2017: She will also be doing lipo on flanks and inner thighs. Their office is beautiful and the staff (Kathy) is so patient with all my questions. Tonight drinking lots of fluids and going to try to get some sleep. She's so clear on the cost, which I believe is reasonable. I have a procedure done by her previously, and I truly trust her work. Updated on 27 Jan 2017: Finally got home resting legs propped up, pillows under the back pain meds are working. The next day I'm taking a shower and I will send you pictures after that. I feel great thankful the procedures done. Updated on 27 Jan 2017: Feeling tight but good!! The inner thigh life all looks really good also Updated on 7 Feb 2017: Feeling good a bit sore a swollen. Updated on 7 Feb 2017: Updated on 10 Feb 2017: Belly button better. Still thankful I did it! But just wondering if my bruising around the stitches and if my bellybutton still looks good Updated on 18 Feb 2017: I just can't believe how much swelling is gone down my scars are healing beautifully! Today I'm going to attempt to walk a couple of miles with a good support around my waist but I just wanted to show you how well things can heal if you're patient! I'm thrilled with these results so far!!!! Updated on 31 Aug 2017: I'm getting ready to leave on vacation and I thought I'd update you on my progress still am so thankful that I did this it's changed my life every day when I put clothes on
