Arm and Medial Thigh Lift

After losing 100 lbs at 15 years of age and then another 30 lbs at 33 years of age and keeping it off for 5 years I’ve finally decided that it’s time to pull the trigger and start my plastic surgery journey. My pre-operative appointment was two days ago and while I was originally scheduled for just an arm lift, after much discussion we decided to add a medial thigh lift. Eventually I would like a circumferential abdominalplasty, but that will be several months down the road.
I’ve been spending this week preparing- deep cleaning the house, prepping my toddler and explaining that I won’t be able to pick him up for a few weeks, making meals ahead, and being vigilant about my nutrition. I’m a scientist by trade and I’ve done a TON of research on post-surgery recovery and nutritional supplementation. I plan to have two protein shakes a day on top of a healthy diet along with a vitamin regimen. I’m also taking almost two full weeks off from work, which doesn’t sound like much, but when I go back I will work mostly half days and will be able to take time to rest as needed.
As my doctor is two hours away, we are planning on going down the day before. We just found out that my father-in-law has to have a heart catheterization on the same day as my surgery so my husband will be dropping me off at one hospital and going to the other hospital in town to be with his mother. I’m actually glad for this as I hate to think of him just sitting around waiting for me and chasing our son all over the place! At least he will have his family for company as they wait to hear how both of us are doing! We’ve joked that it’s too bad we’re not at the same hospital! We could share a recovery room- haha!
I’m so excited but nervous as well, which is to be expected. My surgeon is Dr David Branch at Bangor Plastic and Hand.

Had my call last night with the anesthesia department at the hospital- phew! That was a long one! Feeling excited to get this done after 20 years of waiting, but also SUPER nervous. I’m not worried about the procedure or recovery, more so about my husband and son. I feel guilty and selfish for doing this. But at the same time the risk is low so I’m praying everything goes well. I have to be there for 5:30 tomorrow- my husband will drop me off and then head to the other hospital to be with his mom and sister and her two kids while my father in law has his procedure done.

Well, I survived! Everyone at the hospital was SUPER NICE! I felt badly for the nurse at one point as she couldn’t get the IV inserted in my foot but then the anesthesiologist came in and got it on his first shot!
I’m surprised by how great I feel but it must be the pain meds. I have tightness in spots, but that’s it.
I was in surgery from 8:15 (or at least that’s when they put me out) to 1:40 (or at least that’s when I woke). I came to very quickly and felt fine except for having the shakes (I react to my own adrenaline- it’s annoying). I was only in recovery for 25 minutes because I felt so good and I was discharged by 2:30!
I’m a bit worried that the doctor didn’t take enough off my thighs but this is likely due to swelling. I have no drains and my post op instructions are simple: keep everything clean and dry! No drains and no compression for now so all I have to do is rest!