I will post before and after pictures when i have my 3 day post opt appointment after tomorrow.
First I found Dr. Parkins years ago when she was being recruited to work QuinTessa, however I decided to have my first consultation in January after reading a review, here on real self , from someone else who had their arm lift surgery from Dr Parkins , that flew from Mexico I was really impressed whit there results.
I have my first appointment in January and decided to schedule my surgery for May 28th.
I had to put $100 down just for the initial appointment and then that hundred dollars is applied to my balance in which I need to put a check 10% send down to schedule the surgery. The balance is due within two weeks of the surgery date which I am most missed.
So May 1 I went to see my primary doctor to get cleared for surgery then a week later I went to see Dr. Parkins to take final pictures and go over what to expect and sign final forms.
It’s always worth mentioning that my initial appointment was at Quintessa
then Dr. Parkins opened her own practice and my additional appointments were at her practice in Oconomowoc on the lakefront, Which is beautiful.
I even downloaded the app where all my forms I signed are housed and everything I couldn’t remember that I I needed to know for before and after the surgery that way I didn’t have to call as much.
I washed with antibacterial soap for the two days I’m leading up to the surgery however the instructions only say you have to wash the Day Of.
My surgery was scheduled for 12am, had to be there by 11am and couldn’t drink water after 9am.
Once we got there my wrist band was put on And we were taking to the room. The anesthesiologist is Dr. Parkins’ husband , Dr. Parkins, who came in first to talk with us, then two nurses and then the doctor came in to mark me up and go over what to expect; then the two nurses came back in with the anesthesiologist to put the IV in my foot which was extremely painful.
Oh, there are 5 people in surgery the 2nurses, The anesthesiologist, the doctor performing the surgery and the surgery tech.
I walked to the surgery room got on the surgical bed, my husband stayed in the lobby and enjoyed the free WiFi and we walked out by the lake.
Once I was on the surgical table they gave me the happy juice, I took a few deep breaths before n the mask and woke and surgery was over a hours later. My husband was in the room when they wheeled me back there in the bed.
I got really Nauseated and threw up once at the Clinic, Before I could leave I had to use the bathroom and walk. So I walked to the bathroom.
I was home by 6pm we live 20 minutes away.
Once we got home I drank Gatorade and 2 soda crackers. Started to get nauseated again I regurgitated everywhere several times my husband end up calling the doctor to get a prescription for the nausea. He ran to Walgreens to get ( leaving me home alone, but hey). I had to let the tablet dissolve on My tongue and that didn’t work I regurgitated several times again.
At this point I got fed up, I decided to let my body get rid of whatever room trying to get rid of and I wasn’t taking any more medicine I didn’t take any Tylenol I didn’t take the ibuprofen nor did I take the oxycodone it was very painful But much more comfortable for me to do it this way.
About 4 AM I was feeling much better I’m starting to get hungry and I started drinking water you need any saltine crackers then the next day at 11 AM is when I started taking Tylenol and ibuprofen I refuse to take the narcotic.
Updated on 30 May 2019:
This is why someone needs to be with you 24 hours After the surgery.... someone has to answer the door to receive the flowers. This goes to the care and concern of the entire staff at Dr. Parkins office.
Updated on 30 May 2019:
48 hours post op, you can shower, just can’t get your tape wet, so I couldn’t wash my arms, or under my arms.
I snapped some pictures.
I did take the Garment off yesterday to add some Gauze pads and it helped reduce the pain associated with direct contact of the Incision and the compression garment. We use the squares and then the rolls and then put the compression garment over it. Didn’t hurt as bad coming on and off, as it did taking it off the Very first time because Coming from surgery I had no gauze pads on my incisions just the tape then the compression garment.
I sill had blood coming through the gauze pads, and on the towels that I wrap the ice in.
The instructions say to ice every waking hour 40 minutes on and 20minutes off. I ice all day no off it helps. I am still only taking 1000mg of Tylenol and 800mg of IBuprofen, together 3 times a day. Pain still not bad enough for the narcotic.
I am back drinking Gatorade was just drinking water and vegetable soup all the nausea has gone away. You will need stool softeners.
One con: the compression garment is disproportionate. If it fits by body then it’s too Loose on my arm and if it fits my arms then it too tight in my body, since the Incision goes into my underarm sleeves would hurt and cut off my incision so I hav to wear a vest. I ordered bra extenders however across my shoulders throughout my back is so much stress and pressure from the vest being to tight. The vest I came home in was a Maryshaper, then I ordered a vest from the marena Group and amazon and they all have the same problem.
Also I noticed the Maryshaper so far has stretched out with from taking off an putting back on.
Prior to surgery one arm was at a 13.5 and 12 ( that measurements was the tape pulled tight so I can determine where my final measurements would be and order additional compressions not at clinic prices and it worked. I just made sure my compression I ordered by the sleeve size 11 inches.
I measure now 11 inches if I keep the swelling down.
My 3 day post op is tomorrow.
Updated on 31 May 2019:
Ok! Just left my post op appointment and things are looking up!
So wearing the gauze pads were not a good idea although it made me more comfortable, it causes ridges in the arms and the arms are supposed to be smooth and I for sure don’t want indented arms.
The swelling from here on out is supposed to start going down, might be able to get into my first shaper too, although it stretched it is still smaller. I Don’t come back until my 3rd week post op June 17.
I do still have a little drainage but nothing the Dr. was concerned about. The best news is that you can get your Botox while recovering so if anyone needs to get Botox this won’t stop you.
I can take a shower after 48 hours and wash my arms, so yesterday I could have washed my arms... can’t wait to get home to wash them. Still haven’t taken the narcotics. And I hope I don’t have to, but glad to have them if needed.
One thing I did was download the hindsight app it can be used on the Apple Watch and I time the last time I took medicine or did anything so I am closely monitoring my activity and my healing... the app is $1.99 but helps me a ton.
I still need a male nurse, my husband, the driver. I can't drive just yet but I do plan to start going to golf conference and back teaching Accounting at the college by next week. We will see!
I still am only eating soup, crackers, peanut butter toast, Gatorade and water... did have some air popped popcorn. Today I am going to try to get back to drinking golden milk daily... oh yeah I am vegan, plant based to be specific, which I am hoping will contribute to me healing fast!
Updated on 1 Jun 2019:
My right arm is not cooperating it’s bruised more then prior day. Nevertheless I took a nice shirt lukewarm shower. Nothing much has changed it odiferous order another sleeve from the marena Group much more comfortable. I ordered it from Amazon it’s better customer service.
Still taking Tylenol and IBUPROFEN 3 times a day.
Oh almost forgot, I purchased compression socks to wear in when sleeping, just make me feel better about not getting any blood clots.
Updated on 3 Jun 2019:
I am absolutely pleased, I tried on sport coats and long sleeve shirts and dresses today that were historically to tight on my sleeve for a while now... they were so loose I may have to consider getting them taking in. Excited! Can't wait to go to Vegas and Jamaica this year to show off these new Guns!
There isn't any swelling in my fingers any longer. I need to get to the gym I gained 5 pounds. I am eating black bean burgers in lettuce wraps, and cauliflower mashed potatoes. I did have Golden milk today, first-day adding milk back into my diet well plant-based milk, Also popcorn and baked potatoes.
Still taking the Tyneol and Ibuprofen, I can't recommend the hindsight app enough, I do notice my most pain is at night and early morning, especially since my medicine wears off and I need another dose. Also, it is really hard to protect the cut under my arm with the arm compressions, therefore I keep ice packs under my arms.
Other than that not much has changed... tomorrow will be my one week anniversary!
Updated on 16 Jun 2019:
I noticed that Thursday (16th day post) night that I had a wound opening under my tape. I think I may have started to try to do too much to soon. I gave myself a shower, drove my truck and taught a class. (Regret)
So I went to see Dr. Parkins on Friday. I want to point out that they had coffee, Orange juice and snacks since my son had to drive me there he was extremely entertained in the beautiful waiting area with free WiFi. Also, the parking lot was being repaved and there will be getting the front re landscaped... I absolutely love this upscale office with the homey feel! I am so comfortable here!
Ok so back to my appointment, the Nurse and Dr mentioned that this is called delayed healing but also stated the wound is open. They removed the tape since my 3 week post opt was coming up in a few days. Ouch! Tape removal not fun, might want to save prior to appointment so you don’t have so much hair being pulled when they take the tape off if you are really hairy. I had laser hair removal on my underarms so I didn’t even think to shave my arms.
The Sr. Wasn’t worried about the wound opening just gave me care instructions and said it could take up to two weeks to heal after a week I will send the nurse a picture of it’s progress via the secure app, to determine next steps if any.
For the wound I just need to clean it twice a day and change gauze. I noticed the gauze sticks to the wound and one time when we changed it blood started running down my arm, so now I use medihoney over the wound, then gauze. However I am also at the stage where I need to start doing scar massages to reduce the appearance of my scar....( the messages aren’t fun but very important) so all that is done at the same time, I just don’t do it over the wound. Then I put the compression back on!
Most Importantly! I am so impressed with the way the stitching looks... Doesn’t look like a braid... just looks like my skin laying next to each other and melted together almost.
I am not sure how the wound healing is going to look, hope it doesn’t leave a scar! But we will see!
Updated on 26 Jul 2019:
My right arm healed faster as far usability and not restrictions my left arm I still have minor pain in in stretching my arm, which is mainly right under my arm at the incision.
I am using the Silagen silicone gel strips. I like these better because I wasn’t able to put pressure on my scar while rubbing it in because it was painful. So now I put the strips on then the compression and then I rub the incision with pressure it’s not as painful that way.
Now my left arm scar is fading more compared to my right. Possibly because the right arm had the open wound and I wasn’t able to use the strips, I used the gel and not much pressure in my massage as I can with the strips.
Arms are still sore around the incision site.
In June, (one day after my 3 week post opt) I went to Vegas for a week and the plane ride was difficult, even In first class. I ended up using a pillow under both arms to cushion the blow.
2 weeks later went to Jamaica for a week and had to do the same thing.
The most difficult part in having surgery around the time I had it, is traveling. Most destinations around this time of the year are sleeveless weather and sun. I wore my compressions with sleeveless shirts, tank tops, and even my swim suit.
I could t risk permanent damage from the sun or not having the best results. I also purchased from my Drs office the Silagen spf and avoided the sun as much as possible during 10am to about 3 or 4pm depending on the day. Some days I would even wear a spf workout long sleeve shirt over my sleeves to double protect. I was HOT, but I didn’t care.
So it’s safe to say I under estimated This surgery. I was so sore in Vegas because it was a convention ns I knew many people and they would one behind me slap me on my arm to get my attention, hugs.... Now I know it to schedule anything as far as traveling for at least 6 months or so I am thinking when I get my breast lift.
Jamaica wasn’t so bad it was just hot, but the rides into the country were so bumpy that I couldn’t sit back.
My seats in my vehicle are lumbar support and I have a hard time driving comfortably, since my arms will bump it and it will start to become really sore. So when I drive it’s not a long drive, if I have to go somewhere where it’s more than 5-6 minutes I get a driver (my son).
I posted picture of my progress and how crazy I looked in my arm compression in Jamaica. Vegas I just looked hot cause I wore suit coats all day.
Updated on 27 Jul 2019:
Ok these strips last 3 - 4 weeks, you put them on and go about your business, I keep mines on for the entire day, they will become less sticky but I used medical tape to keep them in place (no biggie).
*sidenote: I have gallbladder removed (emergency surgery) in January literally after my arm lift consult and I had this really high raised scar... I have been using the strip on it and it’s dang near gone so I know it works. This is a smaller scar, which when I was researching that the silicone responds faster to smaller scars than larger ones.
Back to regularly scheduled post....
The strips are going to end up costing you more. I put a strip on my right arm for the first time and it took off all the scans and dead skin, even after I exfoliated, so that strip was ruined, couldn’t was them scabs off, I could only was off when it got dirty from like deodorant or just the daily stuff that gets on your skin under tape and compression garment ( truly amazing).
I still have the Silagen gel and the Silagen spf, using those at times, mainly right out the shower so the scar doesn’t get dry on days that I wash the strips. However, I will be calling my dr office to get more strips as I am on week 3 and I can tell this one is done.
With all that being said the strips are still better for me as they are more convenient, just hurts sometime when taking them off especially after first use.
I am truly hopeful and the only chick wearing jackets in the summertime, looking crazy, but I don’t care.
Updated on 25 Nov 2019:
My scar is still very visible, mostly everything I wear is long sleeve with lace as with the lace you can not see the scar at all.
Today was my 6 month post op and I received steroids injections in some spots especially where the open wound was. The steroids is supposed to flatten out the scar and I should start seeing it work within the next few weeks. I also asked about skin color tattoo and my Dr. advised that some tattoos don't work cause sometimes the color won't take to scar tissue so make sure you have a conversation with the tattoo artist to find out what it will take to get your desired outcome. I am still massaging and still using strips.
Updated on 1 Sep 2021:
So the scars are still here and I don't like them. I still protect them with sleeves from the sun because I am not sure if I want a tattoo over it, scar camo or have scar revision surgery. My arms are not flabby any longer I still don't regret the surgery, but now I see a lot of scarless arm lifts if that technology was out in 2019 I would have paid any extra cost to have it done.
I will update on my decision and pictures once I make the decision.