POSTED UNDER Arm Lift REVIEWS
32 Year Old, Arm Lift After Weightloss. Austin, TX
ORIGINAL POST
I have been overweight my whole life. I lost 115...
aleahs123September 20, 2015
WORTH IT$5,000
I have been overweight my whole life. I lost 115 pounds and so decided to have an arm lift. I consulted with 2 doctors in Austin, TX. Both seemed good but I decided on Steve Holzman. He did a great job. He spent time with me whenever I have questions. His staff was caring and down to earth.
My scar is already getting really flat (1 month after surgery). He removed around 3.5 inches off each arm. This is me measuring with a sewing measuring tape at home. Swelling will continue to go down for 2 more months according to Dr Holzman.
My scar is already getting really flat (1 month after surgery). He removed around 3.5 inches off each arm. This is me measuring with a sewing measuring tape at home. Swelling will continue to go down for 2 more months according to Dr Holzman.
Replies (5)
September 23, 2015
I am looking to do my arm lift but I want to mentally prepare before I schedule a date. I did read your response about feeling like your going to burst open lol. Also my incesion will extend down to my sides so they will take me in from my side like rib cage area. Please be very detailed and tell me how you felt from the moment you woke up after surgery. I know I know everyone is diff but I'm terrified of feeling like I'm going to feel like I can rip or burning like eeeee idk! How do you sleep how bad is the pain tell me everything!
September 18, 2016
How was the pain?
September 18, 2016
Not bad compared to my stomach and breast lift. I was on hydrocodine for a month but it was the lowest dose the doctor said.
Replies (12)
September 21, 2015
Hi! Thank you for sharing!! I am having surgery in 2 weeks. How long did it take you to do such things as lifting an item out of the fridge/reaching top shelf? weight of something such as milk? putting a tote bag over your shoulder? how long before you drove? Thank you!!
September 21, 2015
It took me three weeks before I would lift a full gallon of something to pour my own drink. I even had the issue that my sliding door is heavy so my boyfriend had to let me in and out of the back yard if I wanted to go back there. I also got scared of heavy looking doors in public places such as restrooms. (What if I got trapped in the bathroom?!) Over my head is still difficult sometimes. I do not think the weight is an issue anymore it is the fact that my skin feels tight in my arm pit so I am afraid of hurting anything. My surgeon kinda man handled me at the last appointment to show me it is ok!
I still have not put a tote over my shoulder since I do not like the strap in my arm pit. I am using a cross body purse. It took me 2.5 weeks to start using it. For awhile I just shoved my debit card in my back pocket but then I wouldn't have my meds with me so I couldn't be gone all day.
I drove 1.5 weeks after my surgery since I had to go to work. It was not the funnest and I took it slow and gave myself extra time. My job makes everyone park in reverse and I was so tempted to be like "screw it if they want my car backed in they can do it"! But I got it in my spot myself. I do not think I am supposed to be driving on my meds but I am on the lowest dose possible and they do not make me sleepy. The pain is much better but sometimes after working all fay it feels like a bunch of needles are stabbing me. I am an accountant so I sit and type all day in the same position. The weekends are much better for my arms since I use them in different directions.
For me the most annoying thing was sleeping on my back with my arms on pillows. I am a stomach/side sleeper. I just started gently turning on my side last weekend! I was so excited. I still have to be careful but I think it is good for me since it shows me that I can do things!
I still have not put a tote over my shoulder since I do not like the strap in my arm pit. I am using a cross body purse. It took me 2.5 weeks to start using it. For awhile I just shoved my debit card in my back pocket but then I wouldn't have my meds with me so I couldn't be gone all day.
I drove 1.5 weeks after my surgery since I had to go to work. It was not the funnest and I took it slow and gave myself extra time. My job makes everyone park in reverse and I was so tempted to be like "screw it if they want my car backed in they can do it"! But I got it in my spot myself. I do not think I am supposed to be driving on my meds but I am on the lowest dose possible and they do not make me sleepy. The pain is much better but sometimes after working all fay it feels like a bunch of needles are stabbing me. I am an accountant so I sit and type all day in the same position. The weekends are much better for my arms since I use them in different directions.
For me the most annoying thing was sleeping on my back with my arms on pillows. I am a stomach/side sleeper. I just started gently turning on my side last weekend! I was so excited. I still have to be careful but I think it is good for me since it shows me that I can do things!
September 22, 2015
Congrats on the weight loss and surgery!! Sounds like you're doing great! I am planning on surgery in February. Have lost 55 lbs of the 70 I want to lose, maybe a little more. I am super excited about eventually having thinner arms and couldn't care less about the scars it will leave. Looking forward to trying on tops and not worrying if they will fit in the arms.
How much pain did you have following your surgery? Drainage? Did they give you a compression garment to wear? I will have to take off at least a month or more following my surgery since I am a therapist in a rehab and nursing and part of my job involves helping to lift and transfer some of my patients in/out of bed or on/off the toilet. Unfortunately there is no light duty in my job.
How much pain did you have following your surgery? Drainage? Did they give you a compression garment to wear? I will have to take off at least a month or more following my surgery since I am a therapist in a rehab and nursing and part of my job involves helping to lift and transfer some of my patients in/out of bed or on/off the toilet. Unfortunately there is no light duty in my job.
September 22, 2015
I was lucky that I sit at a computer all day. I had no drainage that I noticed. The doctor mentioned I would have some but I never really noticed. Paid was minimal thanks to drugs. What was annoying/slightly painful was the tightness in my arms when the swelled or when I kept them still too long. I also had bad constipation from the pain meds when though I look a stool softener for a week before and while taking the pain meds. TMI: I had to do two saline enemas.
I was in an ace bandage for compression for a week until my compression vest came in. One was given to me with the price of surgery and I bought a second one. At 4 weeks it was too big since my arms were not at swollen and I had lost more weight. My surgeon said I did not technically need to replace it but could if I felt like it would help. Since I only wore them 3 weeks I am going to try and sell them on ebay.
I was in an ace bandage for compression for a week until my compression vest came in. One was given to me with the price of surgery and I bought a second one. At 4 weeks it was too big since my arms were not at swollen and I had lost more weight. My surgeon said I did not technically need to replace it but could if I felt like it would help. Since I only wore them 3 weeks I am going to try and sell them on ebay.

September 22, 2015
Thanks for the pics! Looks like youre healing well. I'm Having my arms done 2/3/16 after losing 130+ lbs. I'm excited and scared. I really look forward to reading all you gals' reviews. Be sure to keep us updated on your progress! Happy healing!
September 22, 2015
Thank you so much for your reply!!! Glad to hear everything went well for you(except for the constipation, LOL!)! How much are the compression garments??
September 22, 2015
I paid around $120 since I wanted the second shipped overnight. I think the actual vest was $80-$90. I just did not want to have to wear the same thing every day without washing it for a couple weeks. Although I found that they did dry very quickly (air dried)
September 23, 2015
Thx again!!
I will keep following your posts and look forward to mine when the time comes. I'll have to learn how to post pix before then!!
Hope you continue to heal well!
I will keep following your posts and look forward to mine when the time comes. I'll have to learn how to post pix before then!!
Hope you continue to heal well!
Congratulations on your weight loss and your successful procedure. Did you have any problems during your recovery? I'm starting my own weight loss journey and any advice you have would be very helpful. Do you have pics?