I started my skin removal journey

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.

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.

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.