Exercise and radiofrequency treatments have not helped improve the loose skin damage done to my body by smart lipo 7 years ago. I decided that I can't live the rest of my life covered up. Starting with arms. After a very long search for a reputable plastic surgeon, I found what looks to be a good one in Athens, Greece. Dr. Zisis Boukouvalas. My assessment on Dec. 4th went great. I am not willing to go for the full Brachioplasty. Dr. Boukouvalas confirmed that I can have the minimal incision arm lift. He told me that he would do a little lipo to the under part of my arm and with a "lazy s incision on the armpit" he would tighten the skin. That is what I was hoping for. I can't say how nervous I am. The smart lipo destroyed my life. I went from living at the beach to have to wear long sleeves and capris in 40C weather. Dr. Boukouvalas is my last hope for getting my life back. I am starting with the arms and if he is as good as I hope he is, I will have my inner thighs done in the fall. The Greek summer is just too hot to have anything done. Things move fast. I had my consultation on the Dec. 4th and the procedure is coming up on Dec. 13th. Katerina, Dr. Boukouvalas assistant is amazing. Very friendly and willing to help answer any questions and concerns. I am told that I have to stay in the hospital for one night. Not a problem. I am taking the advice of another reviewer on this site that had the same procedure done, freedomh20. I will start taking, RUTIN every morning 2000 VITAMIN C once every morning. She also said she took Arnica tablets. I can't get them here and I don't have time to order them online. I will have to go without them. I am sure my doctor will tell me as well but I am prepared. I value the advice of others that have gone through the procedure. Dr. Boukouvals will be taking pictures. I will post before and after and my experience as soon as I can. Keeping my fingers crossed. Updated on 18 Dec 2018: A little more about my surgery experience. I arrived at the hospital at 9:30 am. Things moved quite quickly from there on. All the pre-op was done. Blood work, cardiogram by tech and then I was seen by the cardiologist. I met with the anesthesiologist (wonderful man) and an amazing OR nurse. They all made me feel like I a long time friend. Dr. Boukouvalas assistant P.S, Dr. Sergki Gkotsarik took pictures. Another very nice man. He is the one that is doing the aftercare. Dr. Boukouvalas met with me before the procedure. He took the time to go over every little detail again. He also did the markings. I have a little loose skin under my armpit as well. He told me that instead for the lazy S, he would do a procedure where most of the axillary is removed. After the surgery, I had absolutely no pain (I guess pain meds work well . :) I had great aftercare by nursing staff and Dr. Gkotsarik. Dr. Boukouvalas came to see me as well later on after he was done with the surgeries. Friday, Dr. Gkotsarik changed the dressing, removed the drains from the lipo, I was told to not take the sleeves off, do not get the incision wet. I was given the prescription for antibiotics. As for painkillers, an over the counter painkiller that I have taken 3 times all together. I was asked to return on Monday morning for a dressing change. It's a 2-hour dr. to Athens. Dr. Gkotsarik was good enough to come to the hospital on Sunday at 1:00 pm for me. That way I would not have to wake up at 5:00 am to be at the hospital on Monday before they star surgery. As I stated before. Dr. Boukouvalas and his team are absolutely wonderful! My right arm is great. I have been feeling a pinching on the left arm. After everything, I have read on this site, my major concern at this point is incision separation. Dr. Gkotsarik assured me that the incision looks fine. I was asked to return on Tuesday to be seen by Dr. Boukouval. The weather is terrible and I did not want to make the 2-hour drive. I am going in on Wednesday knowing that I will be seen again by Dr. Gkosarik as Dr. Boukouvala is not available this day. I take the sleeves off for a moment to wet bath my arms. I am happy with the appearance. My arms look smaller and I don’t see the crepey skin that drove me nuts. I must note that there is no bruising from the lipo. Updated on 29 Dec 2018: These are my ugly arms before surgery. They are my pictures and not the doctors. I will add new pictures when I stop wearing the compression arms... I'm at 16 days post-op. I change the dressing daily. My arms look good. No swelling at all. I have a small makeup mirror and I monitor every inch of the incision very carefully. So far so good. I believe I will be able to breath easier at 4 weeks. Updated on 4 Jan 2019: Happy New Year Everyone. May all your wishes come true in 2019. So here is my update. I noticed a big improvement this week on mobility. I can move my arms without felling pulling on the incision. Still not raising them past my shoulders. I don't want to stress the incision. Brushing and styling my hair is not going to happen for a week or so. Have to sit and lower my head to brush and wear a clip. I have been feeling more pulling on the upper area of my forearms. That is only when I hold my arms straight. I am working or doing a little more stretching and I feel this has been helping. Even though the skin was pulled and removed from the upper arm, I am sure changes take place on the forearm as well. The incision is looking much better. I clean, disinfect and change the dressing daily. There is a very tiny area, less then 1cm, that looks a little yellowish. Naturally, that is a concern. I am applying Fucidin cream to this area. I have been sick with a bad cold the last 2 weeks and have not been able to return to see the surgeon. I hope to do so in a week or two to confirm my healing. I am not posing pictures at this point. I will do so when I am no longer wearing the garment. I only take it off to clean the incision and shower. The garment, unfortunately, leaves marks on the skin. Updated on 13 Jan 2019: So here I am. 31 Days after surgery. My arms feel good. I have more movement. I can now brush my hair without pain or pulling. I still don't raise my arms past my shoulders. My cold is getting better so I hope to see the surgeon in a few days. Still wear the garment all the time and change the dressing every day. I am guessing that I will get the ok this week to stop with the gauze and go to silicone cream. As you can see from the pictures, my left arm has a small spot that might be incision widening or separating. Not sure. It looks a lot worse in the picture. Sorry, I don't have very good pictures to show. My husband is not much of a cameraman. :) I am still very happy with how my arms look. They are much smaller and I don't see the crepey skin. There is a little pulling of the skin. In the picture, it looks like wrinkles. It's because the skin was pulled. I think in time that will improve. I look forward to your opinions. Updated on 18 Jan 2019: I finally made it! Today I saw the surgeon. The small yellow spot that I was worried about, is nothing to be concerned about. That small spot is healing slower. What a relief! Overall, he was very happy with the incision and the appearance of my arms. I now can start with a silicone cream. Although he told me I don't have to wear the compression sleeves any longer, I am going to try to wear them to the 3rd month. He also told me that I can use my arms as I would normally, just no sudden reaching. I am still restricted when I try to reach the top of my hair. I am not allowed to lift weights till after the 2nd month. Oh well. I can do cardio for now. Still thrilled that I found the courage to have this done! Updated on 25 Jul 2020: Just so I don't mislead anyone I thought I would update. You don't see the final results till about the 4th month. My arms are much smaller in size but the crepey skin remains about the same. I did have a revision done but the crepey arm skin was visible at about the 4th month. It's my opinion that if this procedure could be done without the lipo the results might be much better. Lipo is the worst trauma to the skin. Especially thinner skin areas like inner thighs and arms.
